LUKE Ryan has described Oxfordshire’s home match against Cornwall as “crucial” to their Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division hopes.

Oxon are three points behind unbeaten leaders Cornwall with two games remaining ahead of the three-day match at Banbury, which starts on Sunday.

After losing their Championship opener against Berkshire, Oxon have won three successive matches to put themselves in contention for the title.

Captain Ryan is now looking to ensure Oxon would be in a position to control their own destiny going into the final game away to Wiltshire, which starts on August 16.

He said: “It is a crucial game and if we win it is in our own hands.

“At the moment it isn’t, so it is a very important game.

“They have been playing well, but we will be trying our best.

“We want to be in contention and that is what we have got.

“We are looking forward to it.”

Oxon make two changes from the side which convincingly beat Herefordshire by 133 runs at Brockhampton last week.

Seam bowler Will Eason (Horspath) and Great & Little Tew opener Joe White return in place of the injured Richard Kaufman (broken finger) and Jack Wilkins.

Horspath opener Harrison Ward, 15, keeps his place in the team after becoming the youngest Oxon player to score a Championship century on his Minor Counties debut.

Fellow teenager, Jordan Garrett (Great & Little Tew), 16, who also made his debut against Herefordshire, maintains his place in the XI, as does Oxford off-spinner Harvey Eltham.

Ryan added: “What we have done well this year is getting a side out on the park.

“But, when we have played, we have managed to string together a performance throughout the three days.

“We have not had a bad session since Berkshire, but in other games we have not let the opposition back in with a chance.

“We have come across a bit of a method that we have employed pretty well.”

Oxfordshire: L Ryan (Banbury, capt), J Cater (Buckingham), H Darby (Banbury), W Eason (Horspath), H Eltham (Oxford), J Garrett (Great & Little Tew), C Keegan (Banbury), K Penhale (Banbury), L Sabin (Banbury), H Ward (Horspath), J White (Great & Little Tew).