The new season gets under way on Thursday as Oxford UCCE take on a strong Gloucestershire side in a two-day match in The Parks.

Gloucestershire are likely to play several first team players, including Craig Spearman and Kabir Ali.

Oxford coach Graham Charlesworth says it will be a good to put a tough winter of training to test.

He said: “Counties like to get their first teams out at this time of the year, and for the students, it’s a chance to play against some of the best in the country. It will be a good measure of where we are at.

“We have another two-day match against Warwickshire next week, and then back-to-back first class matches against Worcestershire and Glamorgan.”

Oxfordshire youngster Jack Taylor will not feature in the Gloucestershire side, as he is away with school on a residential trip.

Oxford UCCE: Martin, Abel, Sharma, Lett (capt), Lewis, Ryan, Watkins, Smith, Pascoe, Swainland (w/k), Milligan, Mcadam.