Minor Counties Championship

Oxfordshire have been forced to make five changes for their Western Division clash with Wales MC at Swansea, which starts on Sunday.

Captain Ian Hawtin hoped to field a largely unchanged team after their encouraging opening seven-wicket victory over Herefordshire, but a spate of unavailability has put paid to that.

Batsmen Rob Williams, Adam Cook and Ian Crosby, all-rounder Francois Klopper and spinner Luke Ryan are all missing from last time.

This means Banbury's Jaimie Noble makes his debut with Chris Sandbach (Oxford Downs) also bolstering the batting.

Warwickshire-contracted paceman Stuart Hole has been released to play, while Banbury Twenty's veteran seamer Keith Arnold is fit again after injury.

The final spot remains to be filled, possibly by a Gloucestershire-contracted player.

Hawtin said: "We have got a lot of unavailability, particularly in the batting department.

"Hopefully this will be the last time we have issues with that.

"The UCCE players like Chris Smith and Luke Ryan will be back next time.

"It does, however, give other people the opportunity to come in and get themselves in the side."

If Oxon's batting is a little weaker without run-machine Williams, Stuart Hole should give their bowling added bite.

"Stuart is coming back from injury and we are pleased to have him," said Hawtin.

"We didn't have him at all last season.

"Warwickshire have not got a second team game and are keen to get him playing."

Noble gets his chance after several good displays for Banbury.

Hawtin said: "Jaimie has been scoring a few runs and bowls off-spin as well, which will be useful as Swansea is historically a turning wicket."

Jamie Hewitt and Simon Hole are set to open the batting.

Like Oxon, Wales won their opening championship match, with Matthew Maynard's 18-year-old son Tom top-scoring on 83.

Oxfordshire: Hewitt (Welwyn Garden City), Si Hole (Oxford), Noble (Banbury), Taylor (Kidlington), Sandbach (Oxford Downs), McMahon (Wollaton), St Hole (Warwickshire/Oxford), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Newhook (Banbury), Arnold (Banbury XX), AN Other.