Minor Counties Championship

Oxfordshire's leading wicket-taker, Keith Arnold, has been recalled to the side at the age of 50.

The Banbury Twenty seamer, who passed the record of 670 wickets last season, comes in for Oxon’s Western Division clash with Cornwall at Falmouth, starting on Sunday.

Arnold said: “I had been struggling with back problems so that’s the reason I wasn’t available earlier.

“I wasn’t considering myself fit enough to play Minor Counties cricket.

“But in the last couple of weeks I have bowled OK and felt OK and made myself available.

“I am delighted I am still being considered. It is certainly one day at a time now.

“I have been bowling well for the club so I feel I can do myself justice and help the team out.”

Arnold replaces unavailable all-rounder David Smith, while Nathan Hawkes comes in for fellow Banbury batsman Craig Haupt (unavailable).

Oxon captain Ian Hawtin said: “We were a seamer light going into the last game, so we have brought Keith into the side.

“He is still a very good bowler and gives us some good control and all his natural attributes.”

Arnold could now also play for Oxfordshire’s over 50 side, but that is not on his radar.

“To be fair to them, I said at the beginning of the season that I wouldn’t be available,” said Arnold.

“I was still hopeful of playing for the senior team.”

Like Oxfordshire, Cornwall drew their first game of the campaign – against Devon, while only Shropshire picked up a victory in the division.

Cornwall included former Somerset batsman and current Unicorns captain Keith Parsons in the side that drew with Devon.

Oxfordshire will look to in-form paceman Stuart Hole to lead their attack, while skipper Hawtin could open the batting in the continued absence of Damian Shirazi.

Oxfordshire: Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Sandbach (Oxford), Hawkes (Banbury), Williams (Leamington Spa), Knightley (Saffron Walden), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Hole (Oxford), Rowe (Swansea), Ryan (Banbury), Arnold (Banbury Twenty), J Phillips (Banbury).