Minor Counties Championship

IAN Hawtin will clock up a century of Championship appearances for Oxfordshire when he leads them against Berkshire on Sunday.

The 44-year-old skipper achieves the milestone in the Western Division match at Banbury, 16 years after making his debut.

Hawtin, who has captained Oxon since 2005, named a squad of 12, with batsman Charlie Knightley added to the XI that beat Dorset.

Reflecting on his 100th appearance, Hawtin said: “It’s been quite a long time.

“Rupert Evans was captain when I made my debut, so it is good to have him back involved as head of cricket.

“I have enjoyed playing for Oxfordshire, but I didn’t imagine for one moment that I would reach 100 games.”

However, the milestone did not catch Hawtin by surprise.

He said: “I knew at the beginning of the year that I was on 95 from Nobby Clarke’s career record sheets.”

Hawtin succeeded keeper Stuart Waterton when he made his Championship bow in May 1995.

Oxon defeated Shropshire by eight wickets in a one-innings match at Thame, with Hawtin taking a catch, but not batting.

It was against the same opponents that he made his highest score for the county – 117 not out at Challow in June 2004.

Asked for his best memory as an Oxon player, Hawtin replied: “It was probably when I got capped against Devon in 1997. We won the game and it was probably one of the best I have played in.”

Having reached a century, how long does Hawtin reckon he can continue, especially with batsman-keepers Jamie Perkin and Jonny Cater both in the side?

Hawtin said: “I don’t know, that is something for Rupert to talk about and make decisions.

“He has been really supportive this year and I have played quite well.

“It is really good this year that we have got a lot of youngsters coming through.

“I think the side has improved over the seven years I have been captain.

“Before that, we were not that competitive, but now we are getting top-three finishes.

“We have also produced players like Jack Brooks and Jack and Matt Taylor.”

Berkshire have won four out of four matches and reached the MCCA Trophy final.

But Hawtin said: “I’m sure we can beat them.”

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