MCCA Trophy

Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin is urging his players not to let up when they host Herefordshire in Pool 3 at Radley College on Sunday.

Last week’s 109-victory over Bedfordshire put Oxon back into contention for a quarter-final spot – and two more wins will guarantee them qualification.

Hawtin said: “After the problems of the week before, it was important that we got a win under our belts. Thankfully we did that.

“It was pleasing for everybody, but we have got to keep that going.

“We need to go out and win this week and that will set us up for our final group game against Dorset.”

Oxford seamer Stuart Hole returns in place of Banbury’s Ashley Blanchard.

Opening batsman Damian Shirazi is back after missing the Bedfordshire game due to work commitments with Abingdon School.

But seamer Richard Gilbert, head of cricket at Magdalen College School, is unavailable for the same reason.

Gloucestershire Academy and former Great & Little Tew spinner Jack Taylor keeps his place after being a late inclusion against Bedfordshire.

Herefordshire have lost both their matches, so are almost certainly out of the competition, but Hawtin said they should not be underestimated.

“They have got some good players like Steve Adshead, the former Gloucestershire wicket-keeper,” said Hawtin.

“Chris Boroughs, their captain, is a good top-order batsman.

“We won’t be taking this game for granted at all.

“It is one-day cricket and anything can happen.”

Bedfordshire play Hertfordshire at Welwyn Garden City in Sunday’s other Group 3 match.

The ideal result here for Oxon would be a narrow Beds victory.

Should that be the case and Oxfordshire win their final two matches, they would top the group and guarantee a home quarter-final.

Oxfordshire: Sandbach (Oxford), Shirazi (Banbury), Hawkes (Banbury), Williams (Leamington Spa), Smith (Wollaton), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), Hole (Oxford), Ryan (Banbury), Taylor (Keynsham).