Batsman Jonny Cater and left-arm spinner Nat Watkins make their Oxfordshire debuts against Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship Western Division match at Bournemouth starting on Sunday.

Cater, 22, who plays for Buckingham, gets his chance after impressing for the Oxfordshire Development XI.

Former Abingdon School pupil Watkins, 19, who played for Aston Rowant last year, has shone for Durham MCCU this season, including taking 5-88 from 29 overs on his first-class debut against Yorkshire in April.

He has also played for MCC Universities against Notts 2nd and Lancashire 2nd this season.

They are two of four changes to the side, which fought back in the second innings to draw their last match against Shropshire at Whitchurch.

Lymington opening batsman Damian Shirazi returns along with Banbury all-rounder Richard West.

Charlie Knightley, who has damaged a finger, and Jimmy Phillips are unavailable, while Matt Taylor and Michael Beard have a Gloucestershire 2nd XI game, and Lloyd Sabin is playing for Middlesex Under 17s.

Skipper Ian Hawtin said: “Jonny Cater has done well in the development side. He scored an 80 a few weeks ago and did well in the side last year with the bat as well.

“That is the reason we do look at the development side. Last year Tom Geeson-Brown and Ashley Blanchard came through that team and it shows the importance of it.

“Nat Watkins has been doing well at Durham, and being a left-arm spinner he will bring a different aspect to our attack.”

Oxon are still seeking their first win as they visit last year’s Minor Counties champions, with first innings scores of 150, 105 and 183 proving their Achilles’ heel.

Hawtin added: “In the last three games we have not performed with the bat in the first innings, but in the last game we showed we had the ability to bat for long periods and batted out the last day.

“We have got to get that form into the first innings, so we are not chasing the game.

“We have performed well against Dorset in the past and beat them in the one-day competition this year.”

Oxfordshire: Kaufman (Camden), Shirazi (Lymington), Cater (Buckingham), Williams (Leamington Spa), West (Banbury), Perkin (Oxford), Keegan (Worksop), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), Blanchard (Banbury), Watkins (Aston Rowant).