Skipper Luke Ryan is keen to make the most of home advantage as Oxfordshire go for glory in the Unicorns Counties T20 finals day at Banbury on Sunday.

Oxon take on Bedfordshire in the second semi-final at 1pm, after Cheshire have faced Devon in the day’s opener at 10am.

The winners are then due to meet at 4pm.

Ryan said: “We are looking forward to the day and we’re in it to win it.

“We came close to picking up some silverware last year in the final of the MCCA one-day competition, which makes us all the more hungry to go one step further on Sunday.

“Conditions don’t play as big of a deciding factor in T20 cricket, but any benefit we can get from knowing our home surface we will look to exploit.

“We can’t wait for it.”

Oxon booked their place on finals day after beating Shropshire and Herefordshire at Eastnor.

Lloyd Sabin is away on holiday, so Aston Rowant captain Josh Smith receives his first senior call-up and Leamington batsman Shabaz Alam come into the squad that won the qualifying group.

Smith, 23, who has come through the county age groups, said: “It didn’t come completely out of the blue, as Rupert Evans (head coach) has been talking to me during the season, but it’s a great honour to be called up for the county.

“I suppose the shorter format of the game suits me best.”

The Oxfordshire Cricket Board and Banbury CC have organised a beer festival as part of the day, with the help of club sponsors Brakspear.

There will be six guest real ales, including Jimmy Anderson’s ‘King of Swing’ ale.

Banbury chairman Martin Phillips said: “In my opinion it is fantastic that a club ground has been given the opportunity to host this prestigious game.

“All players, from Alastair Cook down to our 5th XI captain Andrew Proctor rely on club cricket to give them their start in the game.

“Great days such as this give clubs a chance to raise their profile, as well as a few pounds for their youth sections.

“I hope other clubs are given the chance in the future, and I am sure the local sporting community in Banbury will get great enjoyment from our own opportunity.”

Oxfordshire: from Ryan (capt) (Banbury), S Alam (Leamington CC), Blanchard (Banbury), Cater (Buckingham Tn), Darby (Banbury), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Keegan (Henley), Penhale (Banbury), Smith (Aston Rowant), West (Banbury), White (Great & Little Tew), Wright (Banbury).

l OXFORDSHIRE 50+ went down by six wickets to Gloucestershire in the ECB 50+ County Championship at Stowell Park.

Former county star Tony Wright hit an unbeaten 109 to steer the hosts past Oxon’s 206-6 off 45 overs in the Group 4 clash.

Alastair Thomas (58) had top-scored for Oxon.

Scores: Oxon 50+ 206-6 (45 ovs, A Thomas 58, P Hemming 57, K Earl 3-23), Gloucs 50+ 209-4 (41.4 ovs, A Wright 109no, I Curtis 3-47).