Rob Cunliffe has returned to his roots by rejoining Oxfordshire for the 2009 season.

The 35-year-old batsman, who played for England Under 19s and was tipped to gain honours at the highest level, starred for Oxon before breaking into the first-class game with Gloucestershire and then having a spell with Leicestershire.

He made his debut for Gloucestershire in 1993 and his first-class bow the following season, spending eight years with the west country club.

However, his career was interrupted by injuries and he asked to be released from his contract at the end of the 2001 season.

He then spent two years with Leicestershire before dropping out of the first-class game.

The former Banbury Twenty star played a few games for Oxfordshire in 2004, but when the county signed ex-Middlesex all-rounder Jamie Hewitt in 2005, it ended his opportunites as Minor Counties are only allowed to field one player who has played 40 or more first-class games.

Oxon reluctantly agreed to release Cunliffe’s registration to Wiltshire three years ago and he made the occasional appearance for them.

But, with Hewitt moving on to become Hertfordshire’s new performance manager at the end of last season, the way was clear for Cunliffe to rejoin Oxon.

Skipper Ian Hawtin was delighted to have Cunliffe – who has been coaching Oxfordshire’s youth team players for several seasons – back on board.

“Rob has always been technically very good,” he said. “I can’t imagine for a moment he has lost that.”

Hawtin revealed that Cunliffe, who is still based in the west country where he runs his own cricket coaching business, was enthusiastic about playing for the county again.

“He has always had a desire to play for Oxfordshire,” said Oxon’s captain. “He is an Oxfordshire boy and came up through the various youth age groups and went on to play higher cricket.

“I think it’s good he is coming back and putting something back into Oxfordshire.”

His signing is especially timely for Oxon with batsman Rob Williams facing several months on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated finger.

Cunliffe played 68 first-class games, scoring 2,542 runs with a highest score of 190 not out for an average of 23.75.

He also hit 1,982 one-day runs in 92 games, with a top score of an unbeaten 137 and an average of 27.17.

One of the other highlights was a crucial 61 he made for Gloucestershire against Yorkshire in the Benson and Hedges Super Cup Final at Lord's in 1999.