An availability crisis means only five of the Oxfordshire team who played in their last Western Division game will take to the field against Shropshire on Sunday.

Six of the side that lost to Devon at Challow, including century hero Adam Cook, are not making the trip to Shrewsbury.

But their absence means Minor Counties Championship debuts for teenagers Alex Jewell and Dickon Morris as well as Finchampstead batsman Andy Hobbs.

Bicester & North Oxford seamer Richard Lynch is back from injury, while Chris Smith and Keith Mustow also return.

Joe Porter, Richard Kaufman and Charlie Knightley have been ruled out due to teaching commitments, while Stewart Laudat and Jimmy Phillips are also missing.

Oxon manager Jack Potter said: "We have seven of our main players out due to unavailability. It is the last week of the school term and that has hit us hard.

"It is a bit disappointing, especially as we really fancied ourselves against this team, but still we are not going up there short.

"We are hoping that they will still do well."

Hobbs, 29, who plays for Finchampstead in Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League, hopes his appearance will not be a one-off.

He has been in good form with the bat since joining Finchampstead in 2004, averaging 36.33 and said he was very pleased to be selected.

Hobbs added: "I have been in all the junior teams for Oxfordshire, but then moved away. I only moved back recently.

"I know there's a few people away for this game and if I can play well, hopefully I can keep my place.

"I work for the England and Wales Cricket Board as development officer for Berkshire, doing the same job that Rupert Evans does for Oxfordshire."

If Hobbs can keep his place for the next game, he will face Berkshire at Chesterton, but he insists there would be no divided loyalties.

Oxon (v Shropshire, away): Hawtin (Bicester & North Oxford, capt), Hewitt (Whitstable), Smith (Banbury), Haupt (Banbury), Jewell (Bicester & North Oxford), Lynch (Bicester & North Oxford), Morris (Shipton-under-Wychwood) Arnold (Banbury Twenty), St Hole (Shipton-under-Wychwood), Mustow (Cheltenham), Hobbs (Finchampstead).