Oxford University will take on Australian Universities in an inaugural two-day match in The Parks, starting on Monday.

It is hoped the students’ clash will become an annual one, with former Oxford University captain and England player Vic Marks stressing that in his programme welcome.

Oxford captain Rajiv Sharma said: “Australia have been setting the benchmark in world cricket for many years.

“The match will be played in true Ashes spirit, fought hard on the pitch, but enjoying each other’s company off it.

“It is a great opportunity for our players to play against opposition who are used to a tough brand of cricket.

“We look forward to making this inaugural match a regular highlight of the Parks fixture card.”

Oxford have named a mixtures of Blues and Brookes players, while both teams’ man-of-the-match will receive a custom-made Safbats bat.

Australian captain Tim Newhouse said: “The match has been endorsed by Cricket Australia, with its CEO James Sutherland writing a foreword for the programme, imploring us to gain some revenge for the Ashes, so no pressure there.”

Oxford University: Stebbings, Bryan, Williams, Sharma (capt), Westaway, Milligan, Pascoe, Scott, Smith, Conway, Gordon.

Australian Universities: from Logue, Sriskandarajah, Sampson, Docker, Byrnes Howe, Kerr, Mulvenna, Grant, Hortle, Newhouse, Holliday, Roth.