JONNY Cater believes Oxfordshire will go into their three-day match at Wales in high spirits, writes MARK EDWARDS.

After starting their Western Division campaign with a heavy defeat at Cornwall, Oxon responded with an impressive win over Shropshire a fortnight ago.

Cater missed that success, but comes back into the team who will take to the field in Usk on Sunday.

And he believes the manner of their 273-run success will stand them in good stead.

“The lads did really well last time and it’s all about building momentum,” he said.

“Obviously we found it tough at Cornwall in our first game, but bounced back and hopefully can keep it going.

“Wales are always a very tough test at home, but we go there full of confidence.”

Cater comes in for Thame Town’s Callum Russell, with the other change seeing Oxford Downs captain George Sandbach handed a championship debut with Shabaaz Alam unavailable.

“George has played a lot of one-day cricket for us and has been batting well at the top of the order for Downs this season,” Cater added.

“He’s a great guy, fits in very well with the squad and deserves his chance in this format of cricket.”

Oxfordshire’s win over Shropshire was built on a superb first-innings century from Richard Kaufman.

It was the middle-order batsman’s eighth championship ton and Cater praised his influence on the team.

“In this type of cricket you need your experienced guys like Kaufy, Gareth Andrew and myself to do their bit and help the younger guys we have,” he said.

“It’s important to have that blend in your team, and him scoring a hundred at the start of the campaign gives both him and the whole squad a big boost.”

Sandbach is relishing the chance to impress for Oxfordshire over three days.

“It’s obviously nice to get the call,” he said.

“It’s been going well for me this season and I have played quite a few games for the county in the one-day and T20 formats.

“Hopefully goes well in this format.”

He added: “I will try to be positive, look to attack and be myself as much as possible.

“The good thing with the county is that they allow people to try to play their natural game.”

Oxfordshire: J Cater (capt, Buckingham Tn), G Andrew (Ombersley), J Butcher (Abingdon Vale), O Clarke (Banbury), T Cosford (Horspath), H Eltham (Oxford), J Garrett (Downend), R Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), G Sandbach (Oxford Downs), H Smith (Leamington), R White (Buckingham Town).