Oxford CC have made a trio of key signings by recruiting Cambridgeshire all-rounder Nick Ferraby, Oxfordshire opener Chris Sandbach and Oxon Development XI’s David Smith.

Ferraby, who made three one-day appearances for Leicestershire and was a regular county 2nd XI player during a three-year spell at the Grace Road club, has been a prolific run-scorer for Cambridgeshire in the Minor Counties Championship.

A right-handed batsman, he also bowls medium pace and helped his Leicestershire club side Kibworth win the ECB Cockspur Cup twice in the last five years.

In last year’s replayed final against Malden Wanderers at Southgate – the original match at Lord’s was abandoned due to heavy rain – he was named man of the match after smashing 75 from 91 deliveries to set up a five-wicket win.

He has joined Oxford after moving to the area with his work for Christians in Sport.

Oxford skipper Jason Harrison has first-hand experience of Ferraby’s talent.

“I have played against him several times over the last four or five years,” he said.

“He a got a hundred against Bucks last year in the one-day format, which shows the quality of player we are dealing with.

“I have no doubt he will be a successful signing for us.”

Harrison also described himself as over the moon to have recruited Sandbach from Oxford Downs.

The 23-year-old made an opener’s spot with Oxfordshire his own last season, scoring 233 runs at an average of 33.28 and hitting his first Championship half-century with 61 against Shropshire at Whit-church.

Harrison said: “I think he is at the stage where he really needs to test himself by playing Premier League cricket.

“He has been very successful at Downs and I think it was a hard decision to leave them because it’s his home club.

“But he is desperate to play at the highest level he can which will help his Minor Counties career.”

Sandbach’s arrival will also fill the void at the top of the order left by Adam Cook returning to his old club Cumnor and Pat Jobson’s retirement to play golf.

Harrison, who is set to open with Sandbach, added: “We have struggled a little bit with the opening positions. Adam Cook was only available for ten games and Pat Jobson was injured the previous year.

“We have not really had a settled opening partnership, so hopefully Chris will work hard and cement that position.”

Smith, Oxford’s third new signing, is a member of the Oxford UCCE squad, having moved to the area to study at Oxford Brookes.

A former Kent Academy player, he is a right-handed batsman who can bowl leg-spin and medium pace.

He played for the Oxon Development XI in the Tom Orford Trophy last season, smashing 85 in the one-wicket win over Herefordshire and an unbeaten 62 in the first-innings defeat by Bucks.

Meanwhile,Oxfordshire secretary Andrew Moss has been made an honorary life member of Oxford CC.

A stalwart of the founder clubs that made up Oxford CC, he played his final season for the club last year.