Oxfordshire will hope for a case of fourth time lucky when they open their MCCA Trophy Group 3 campaign against Hertfordshire at Challow & Childrey on Sunday (11).

In each of the last three seasons, Oxon have been beaten at the semi-final stage, but captain Ian Hawtin sees no reason why they can’t go further this time.

“It is always good to get off to a winning start,” he said. “We are positive going into the season.

“Hopefully, we can improve on the last three years and go further in this campaign.

“Over the past five years, we have improved. Before that, we struggled, but we are now more competitive.”

Oxfordshire have no major new faces this season, but spinner Paul McMahon, last year’s leading wicket-taker, could be a big loss.

Hawtin said: “Paul McMahon has gone to Cambridgeshire. He has been offered cash I think. We are not in that position.”

Oxon tried to sign former England Test player Alex Tudor as player-coach during the winter.

Despite failing in this approach, Hawtin said the team will not have an increased budget.

He said: “The money (for Tudor) would have been allocated from the existing budget to do with coaching and things like that.”

Oxfordshire will also hope to build on last year’s third place in the Minor Counties Championship Western Division when their campaign begins in June.

And Hawtin wants to impress on both fronts.

“I think they are both important really,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that one is more important than the other.

“They are both good competitions and the highest standard that the will play at.

“That is not to say that some of the younger guys can’t go on to play professionally.”

On that note, Hawtin hopes the successes of former Oxfordshire seamer Jack Brooks at Northants can inspire other players.

“I think they can take a look at Jack Brooks to see how hard he has worked and how committed he is,” said Hawtin.

On Sunday, Oxfordshire go with an experienced middle order in Rob Williams, Charlie Knightley and Richard Kaufman.

Oxford seamers Stuart Hole and Richard Gilbert will spearhead the attack alongside former Leicestershire man Daniel Rowe, while Banbury’s Luke Ryan provides the spin option.

Hawtin stressed: “Apart from Daniel Rowe, all these players have an affiliation to Oxfordshire cricket.

“That is not a rule in Minor Counties cricket, but it is how Oxfordshire operate.”

Former Oxon all-rounder Jamie Hewitt is expected to play for Herts.

  • PROMISING youngsters Zia Hamid and Ben Stebbings will make their Oxfordshire debuts in Monday’s friendly against Oxford University in The Parks.

Oxford seamer Hamid and batsman Stebbings, who grew up in the county and plays for Oxford MCCU, are both named in a 12-man squad.

Oxfordshire (v Hertfordshire): Shirazi (Banbury), Sandbach (Oxford), Hawkes (Banbury), Williams (Leamington Spa), Knightley (Saffron Walden), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), St Hole (Oxford), Ryan (Banbury), Gilbert (Oxford). Oxfordshire (v Oxford University): Shirazi (Banbury), Sandbach (Oxford), Noble (Bourton Vale), Williams (Leamington Spa), Smith (Wollaton), Crosby (Oxford), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Ryan (Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), Hamid (Oxford), J Phillips (Banbury), Stebbings (Brockhampton).