SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE

OXFORD captain Ian Crosby is backing his side to return to the the top flight after being relegated to Division 2 West.

A dismal 2012 season saw Oxford win just once, but with some strong new signings and a fit-again Stuart Hole, Crosby is expecting much better.

“We want to go straight back,” he said.

“But it won’t be easy, as it’s a very strong league.

“I’m confident we can do it, but we can’t afford to make mistakes.

“We’ll certainly have to play a lot better than last year.”

Former Warwickshire paceman Hole should be available for most of the season.

Oxford’s signings include Tom Godsell, an Australian all-rounder, whose father played for Headington in the 1980s.

Andrew Clough, a top-order batsman and leg-spinner, joins from Lancashire League side Rawtenstall.

Vishane Perera, a youngster from Challow & Childrey, will open the batting.

IN: Tom Godsell (all-rounder, Melbourne), Adam Price (seamer, Newcastle, Australia), Andrew Clough (all-rounder, Rawtenstall), Joe Ewan (seamer, Hampstead), Vishane Perera (opening batsman, Challow & Childrey), Naeem Bardai (wicket-keeper/batsman, Oxford Brookes University), Akheam Fox (opening batsman, Abingdon Vale).

OUT: Dan King (batsman, Exeter), Jon Allcock (Walsall).

Oxford (v Cove, home): Perera, Perkin, Laudat, Clough, Godsell, Crosby (capt), Hole, Vainker, Mendis, Sutherland, Geeson-Brown.