Oxfordshire are in confident mood as they start their three-day campaign with a Minor Counties Championship Western Division game against Wiltshire at Challow & Childrey on Sunday.

“Apart from a couple of players, we’ve got a young side, and we’re hopeful of having a good season,” said captain Ian Hawtin.

“Our performances in the one-day MCCA Trophy games, when I thought we were unlucky not to reach the knock-out stages, and our good display in last year’s Championship gives us confidence.”

Oxfordshire were third in their division, but better luck with the weather could have seen them finish top.

Injuries and unavailabilty mean they are below strength against Wiltshire, who finished bottom last year.

All-rounder Daniel Rowe and batsman Nathan Hawkes are injured, while work commitments mean that in-form spinner Luke Ryan and long-serving batsman Charlie Knightley are unable to play.

This has led to Oxon giving three players their Championship debuts – former Sussex and Middlesex fast bowler Chad Keegan, Oxford batsman Jamie Perkin and 16-year-old seamer Matt Taylor.

All three represented Oxon in the Trophy this season.

Matt Taylor will play alongside his elder brother, Jack, who has been released by Gloucestershire for the game.

Oxon welcome back experienced batsmen Damian Shirazi (a former Wiltshire player), who missed most of their one-day games due to work, and prolific batsman Rob Williams, who is playing again after undergoing a minor operation.

Hawtin knows little about the opposition.

He said: “Wiltshire seemed to have changed their side a lot, so they are something of an unknown quantity."

Oxfordshire: I Hawtin (Banbury, capt), D Shirazi (Lymington), R Kaufman (Camden), A Jewell (High Wycombe), R Williams (Leamington), L Sabin (Banbury), J Perkin (Oxford), J Taylor (Frocester), M Taylor (Great & Little Tew), C Keegan (Worksop), A Blanchard (Banbury).