JONNY Cater knows Oxfordshire are still a work in progress, but he is enjoying every minute of seeing his young side flourish.

The county are full of confidence after back-to-back Western Division victories and head to Herefordshire this weekend with a spring in their step.

Oxon have already matched their total of wins from 2017 in the three-day format and Cater has reason to believe they can continue to improve when play starts at Brockhampton on Sunday.

Sitting third in the ten-team table despite losing their opening Unicorns Counties Championship match against Berkshire, the skipper has been delighted with the reaction.

“I’m over the moon,” said the wicket keeper/batsman.

“It was great to see our young team bounce back from the first game, which was always going to be difficult.

“If we had got anything out of that it would’ve been a positive and I think we did in terms of performance.”

Experienced players Gareth Andrew and Richard Kaufman played their parts in the victories over Dorset and Wales.

But Cater has been enthused by the contributions of his younger players, highlighted by Olly Clarke two weeks ago when he finished with match-figures of 12-157, as well as a half-century.

The skipper said: “The last two games, we’ve just clicked.

“Those individual performances have driven the team forward and collectively there have been some really good team aspects to it.

“Joe Thomas, Tom Price, those kind of players are starting to flourish and that was evident against Wales as well, when Olly Clarke was outstanding.

“It just goes to show that we do have a lot of quality and that sets the standard.

“We believe the next three games are winnable. We’re level-headed, but we go into them high in confidence.”

Another welcome boost is the fact Oxon are able to pick ten of the squad which beat Wales.

Last month, chairman of selectors Ian Hawtin expressed his frustration at a lack of players making themselves available.

But only batsman Owyn Tong-Jones and seamer Joe Butcher are absent this week from the 12 picked for the last fixture.

This results in a debut for Great & Little Tew all-rounder Ollie Price, while Aston Rowant seamer Alex Chapman is recalled.

Cater said: “It’s great. We look to keep a settled side as much as possible.

“It makes selection easier and it’s good to know on a Thursday you’re not scrambling for players, like we were four weeks ago.”

Oxon: from J Cater (Buckingham Tn), G Andrew (Ombersley), A Chapman (Aston Rowant), O Clarke (Banbury), T Condon (Aston Rowant), R Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), O Price (Gt Tew), C Russell (Thame Tn), H Smith (Gt Tew), H Startin (Oxford), J Thomas (Gt Tew), M Warner (Chesham).