Craig Haupt returns to the Oxfordshire side for Wednesday's 2002 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy first-round game with a Nottinghamshire Board XI at Banbury.

The Banbury left-hander, widely regarded as the best batsman in the county, has not played for Oxon this season because of availability problems.

But skipper Rob Williams and Oxford & Horspath batsmen Ben Thompson and Keith Mustow miss the game.

Cropredy all-rounder Richard Lynch could make his Oxon debut if his registration with the England & Wales Cricket Board goes through in time.

The 34-year-old was born in Banbury but brought up in Australia.

The winners of tomorrow's game travel to Shropshire on Thursday, September 13 for the right to host a first-class county in the third round next year.

It is the first time the C&G Trophy, formerly the NatWest, has been split over two seasons.

Oxfordshire: from K Arnold (Leamington Spa, capt), S Laudat (Rover Cowley), C Haupt (Banbury), C Knightley (Richmond), A Cook (Cumnor), Shahbaz Ali (Banbury), R Lynch (Cropredy), G Savin, I Hawtin (both Bicester & N Oxford), T Smith (Banbury), I Evans (Oxford & Horspath), P Jeacock (Bicester & NO).