OXFORDSHIRE'S display against Oxford University last Friday will have boosted confidence for tomorrow's NatWest Trophy preliminary round clash with the Durham Board XI at Hartlepool.

The county may have gone down by 40 runs to the Dark Blues, but their bowling - they restricted the students to 238-8 from 50 overs - was a massive improvement on their season-opening friendly against Berkshire when they were thrashed for 310.

And while Oxon's middle order failed to build on an excellent platform provided by openers Keith Mustow and James France in the Parks last week, they usually deliver on the big occasion.

Oxfordshire will pick from a squad of 12. South African Craig Haupt is certain to make his competitive Oxon debut, with Oxford Downs' Luke List, Banbury's Shahbaz Ali or Oxford's Ben Thompson, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, likely to be carrying the drinks.

This year's new-look 50-over NatWest competition includes all the Minor Counties, plus board sides (teams picked from local leagues) from the first-class counties.

Oxon (v Durham): from Williams, Mustow, Hawtin, Laudat, Haupt, Knightley, List, Thompson, Ali, Cook, Savin, Jeacock.

Story date: Monday 03 May

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