Ian Hawtin wants Oxfordshire to challenge for the Minor Counties Championship when they open their Western Division campaign against Devon at Banbury on Sunday (11).

Oxon's captain believes they can build on last season when he felt they would have finished strongly, but for some bad weather.

Hawtin said: "We are looking to challenge - that's got to be our target.

"Last year, we played well against the top sides such as Cheshire and Shropshire.

"I don't see any reason why, without bit more consistency, we shouldn't be up there this year.

"Fifth was probably a bit hard on us last year because we went into the final game in third place."

Experienced batsman Charlie Knightley makes his first Oxon appearance of the season.

Knightley, who is head of PE at Felsted School in Essex, is available as it half term and is only likely to miss one championship game all summer.

Banbury's Jamie Noble, 23, and Oxford Downs' Chris Sandbach, 22, can stake a claim for a regular place in the top six.

At the other end of the scale, 48-year-old seamer Keith Arnold will make his 200th championship appearance, needing just 11 wickets to become Oxon's leading bowler.

Hawtin said: "I would hope he gets the record some time this summer as long as the weather is kind to us.

"He showed in the one-day games that he is still a very good bowler.

"He went for under three an over in each of them."

Devon, who are captained by former Gloucestershire batsman Bobby Dawson, finished just below Oxon in the Western Division last year.

They are set to include Somerset one-day batsman Arul Suppiah.

Hawtin said: "It should be a tough game as they are one of the strongest sides in the division."

Oxfordshire: Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Hewitt (Welwyn Garden City), Noble (Banbury), Knightley (Saffron Waldon), Sandbach (Oxford Downs), Brooks (Oxford), Arnold (Banbury Twenty), Ryan (Banbury), Newhook (Banbury), Haupt (Banbury), Williams (Leamington Spa). 12th man: Perkin (Oxford Downs).

OXON'S CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

May 25-7: Devon (home, Banbury). June 22-4: Wiltshire (home, Challow & Childrey). July 6-8: Cheshire (away, Alderley Edge). July 20-22: Shropshire (away, Whitchurch). Aug 3-5: Berkshire (home, Banbury). Aug 17-19: Dorset (away, Bournemouth).