CAPTAIN Ian Crosby is calling on his Oxford side to bounce back from a winless start to their Division 1 campaign when they host promoted Reading tomorrow.

Oxford suffered an eightwicket loss to Tring Park on the opening day of the season, before going down to a seven-wicket defeat to High Wycombe.

Despite sitting bottom of the table with seven points, Crosby is confident his side can get off the mark against a Reading side who picked up their first win of the season against Burnham last weekend.

He said: “We have had a tough start, but we have played two pretty good teams and we just need to bounce back, get our game in order and get on a roll ourselves.

“It can soon quickly change – I am not downbeat, there were good signs on Saturday.

“We need to pick ourselves up and not be too downhearted about it.

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“Hopefully we can put in a good performance against Reading and get our first win.”

Among the positives for Crosby was Oxford’s attack and he was impressed with right-arm medium bowler Will Rooney and leg spinner Shami Mendis.

He added: “We bowled really well in places on Saturday.

“Will Rooney bowled well and I am confident he is going to be a very good opening bowler.

“Shami Mendis also bowled beautifully.”

All-rounder Mark Beer replaces Ed Smith, while Alex Morgan is in for the unavailable batsman Stewart Laudat.

Ian Evans returns from injury and is named in the 12- man squad.

Oxford (v Reading, home): from Sutherland, Perera, Morgan, Bates, Morton, Crosby (capt), Mendis, Thornton, Beer, Eltham, Rooney, Evans.