Headington's Howard Watts, one of Oxfordshire's top bowlers, is back in the fold as the county seek to go one better than last year when they finished runners-up in the EBA Middleton Cup.

Work commitments have ruled out Watts in recent seasons including last year when Oxon reached the final for the first time in their history before being beaten by Cumbria at Worthing.

But now he is available again and has been recalled to the squad along with Oxford City & County's Ian Henwood, while there is a first call-up for Carterton's Remy Clanfield.

They come into the squad in place of Rover Cowley/Oxford City & County duo Paul Comley and Chris Earl, and Carterton's Lee Young.

Team manager Bob Gilkes said: "Howard is one of Oxfordshire's leading bowlers, but work commitments took him away for three or four years.

"Ian has been to Worthing many years ago and he is bowling well and is back in.

"He is also an established bowler and for various reasons he was unable to continue playing at this level, but he is now free to do so again.

"Remy is the youngest member of the squad. He won the Oxfordshire Under 25 title last year and the Home Counties Bowling Association Under 25 competition, which was quite a feat.

"All the people who know him think he has great potential."

The trio are included in a 29-man squad and they get an early chance to stake their claims for a place in the team for the opening Middleton Cup game against Isle Of Wight at Shanklin on Saturday, June 3 when they line-up in a trial match against Wiltshire at Wootton Bassett on Sunday.

Banbury Borough have the biggest representation with nine bowlers, while Carterton and Oxford City & County have six apiece.

Oxfordshire squad: Ryan Buckett, Barry Lambourne (Shiplake), Les Campion, Mark Sykes, Spencer Townsend (Banbury Central), Calvin Carpenter, Mark Charlett, Keith Holloway, Gary Lucas, George Moon, Greg Moon, John Philpott, Alan Prew, Richard Redford (Banbury Borough), Remy Clanfield, Robert Clanfield, Stuart Richens, Baden Sparkes (capt), Sammy Timms, Andy Wise (Carterton), Jim Gamage, Ian Henwood, Robin Hewson, Alan Ley, Mick Nash, Colin Whitehead (Oxford City & County), Nathan Lewis, Howard Watts, Nick Welsh (Headington).

Oxfordshire (v Wiltshire, Wootton Bassett BC, Sun): Re Clanfield, S Richens, M Sykes, B Sparkes; J Philpott, N Lewis, C Whitehead, M Charlett; J Gamage, B Lambourne, H Watts, A Ley; A Wise, S Timms, Ro Clanfield, R Buckett; N Welsh, K Holloway, Ge Moon, C Carpenter; M Nash, I Hewnwood, L Campion, G Lucas.