There are three new faces in the Oxfordshire side as they kick off their 2002 season with a friendly against Oxford University in The Parks on Friday (11am).

Banbury Twenty seamer Mark Rowell, Henley batsman David Allaway and Bicester & North Oxford's leg-spinning all-rounder Richard Kelly will all face the Dark Blues.

The county follow it up the next day with a friendly away to Home Counties Premier Division new boys Henley (11.30am).

Former Cornwall opening bowler David Angove, who plays for Oxford and teaches at Marlborough School in Woodstock, makes his Oxon debut, as does Kingston Bagpuize seamer Simon Launder.

Oxfordshire will be skippered this season by veteran seamer Keith Arnold.

Their first competitive game is against Berkshire at Thatcham in the group stages of the ECB 38-County Competition.

Oxon's new coaching and development links with Gloucestershire have led to a friendly against the West Country side's second team at Bristol on Sunday, May 26.

The opening three-day Minor Counties Championship match is against Cheshire at Cheadle Hulme, starting on Sunday, June 2.

In the first round of the 2003 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, Oxon host Lancashire Cricket Board at Banbury on Thursday, August 29.

The winners of that tie travel to Aberdeen to play Scotland on Thursday, September 12.

Oxfordshire (v Oxford University, The Parks, Fri 11am): K Arnold (Banbury XX, capt), S Laudat (Rover Oxford), K Mustow (Oxford), D Allaway (Henley), C Knightley (Richmond), A Cook (Oxford), R Kelly (Bicester & NO), I Hawtin (Bicester & NO), L List (Oxford Downs), P Jeacock (Bicester & NO), M Rowell (Banbury XX).

Oxfordshire (v Henley, away, Sat 11.30): K Arnold, R Williams (Bicester & NO), R Hawkins (Banbury XX), A Cook, T Smith (Banbury), G Peddy (Hampstead), R Kelly, I Hawtin, J Phillips (Banbury), D Angove (Oxford), S Launder (Kingston Bagpuize).