JONNY Cater believes Oxfordshire are still a work in progress – but is expecting improvement this summer, writes JACK JOHNSON.

The side begin their three-day campaign against Berkshire at Wargrave CC on Sunday.

Oxon head into the Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division opener on the back of mixed results in the shorter formats.

They reached the quarter-finals of the one-day Trophy competition, but lost all eight of their T20 matches to finish bottom of Group 2.

Despite adding experience to the squad with former first-class seamer Gareth Andrew, Oxon’s side is still relatively young.

But Cater believes the players will have benefited from last year’s experience when they finished sixth out of ten teams.

The wicket-keeper/batsman said: “I still think we’re in transition.

“We’re in a five-year plan and this is our second year. However, the majority of the guys would have played minor counties before.

“They know what to expect now and what is required of them to perform.

“We’re looking to beat our sixth-place finish from last year and there’s no reason why we can’t do that.”

Oxon recorded two victories in 2017 and Cater has set a very clear target this season.

He said: “If we can get three wins that represents progress.

“That extra year of experience will certainly help them going forward.”

Great & Little Tew seamer Lawrence Brock is handed his championship debut, while Horspath batsman James Fitzjohn is also selected.

Richard Kaufman, Jamie Perkin, Brad Taylor and Joe Butcher are unavailable.

Oxfordshire: (v Berkshire): J Cater (Buckingham Tn) capt, G Andrew (Ombersley), L Bethell (Aston Rowant), Lawrence Brock (Great Tew), O Clarke (Banbury), T Condon (Aston Rowant), H Eltham (Oxford), J Fitzjohn (Horspath), J Garrett, H Smith, J Thomas (all Great Tew).