Keith Arnold says Oxfordshire cricket is in great shape and there is no reason why they cannot win the MCCA Trophy.
The 49-year-old Banbury Twenty seamer admitted to being nervous on his return to the county side, but impressed in both matches.
Having taken four wickets in the Championship defeat to Dorset, he conceded just 14 runs in ten overs as Oxon beat Wiltshire in the Trophy on Sunday.
Arnold said: “On Sunday I thought we bowled really well.
“It was as good an attack as Oxfordshire have had for 20 years or so I would say.
“That was without Paul McMahon and Luke Ryan playing.
“There is competition for places. I can’t remember when that was last the case. It is really good.
“On the batting front, we have Rob Williams and Charlie Knightley to come back in.”
Oxon face Norfolk at Horsford, near Norwich, in the semi-finals on Sunday, June 28, with the final set for Durham on Wednesday, July 22.
Can Oxfordshire win the competition for the first time?
“I can’t see any reason why not,” said Arnold.
“There is a bit of confidence in there as well. It would be fantastic to do it.
“We have been so close to getting to the final.
“The only disappointing thing is that it is not at Lord’s this year.
“We have only played Norfolk once and that was a long time ago. It will be a new test.
“I have been selected for the Championship game against Wiltshire on Sunday and hopefully if I perform I will be selected for the one-day side the following week.”
Arnold said he was “delighted” with his Oxfordshire comeback.
But he added: “It was disappointing against Dorset because we threw it away.
“We thought we just needed to bat, but we didn’t concentrate.”
The back injury, which Arnold feared would prevent him playing for Oxfordshire again, has not gone away.
Arnold explained: “It is an underlying problem that will never go away unless I have an operation.
“I have changed my action slightly. I’m a lot slower than I used to be.
“It has been so far so good if I don’t try to overdo it.
“I have not had too much adverse reaction from it.”
Those four wickets against Dorset left Arnold three away from breaking Oxon’s Championship record – something he has had within his sights for a while.
Arnold said: “It is getting a bit frustrating because people have been on about it. It seems to be going on and on.
“It will be great to do it. I’m just hoping the body will last.
“In some ways, if I do it, it will be a big relief. It will mean people can talk about something else.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel