OXFORDSHIRE Over 50s are going for their second national title in three seasons when the take on Middlesex in the final at Wormsley on Sunday (11.30am).

And skipper Andrew Wingfield Digby considers that Oxon are much stronger now than when they beat Lancashire at Lord’s in 2008.

“You can see from this year’s results when we have won all ten games quite comfortably, that we are much stronger,” he said. “The batting at times has been spectacular.”

The main addition to the bowling strength has been the county’s all-time record-breaker Keith Arnold, who started this season in Oxfordshire’s Minor Counties Championship side.

When Wingield Digby was unavailable for the quarter-final against Hampshire, Arnold came in and promptly took 5-17 in Oxfordshire’s resounding win.

Arnold kept his place for the semi-final because his Banbury Twenty colleague Mickey Thomas was injured.

With Thomas now back in contention, Oxon have named a squad of 12 for the game, leaving them with a dilemma of who to leave out on the day.

Wingfield Digby explained: “As he was not in the side at the start, Keith Arnold has generously offered to stand down, in favour of someone who has been in all season.

“We’ll decide whether to leave out a seamer or a spinner after we’ve seen the pitch on the day. But I think we’ll want to go with our strongest side.”

Seven of the team who played in the 2008 final are in the squad.

The newcomers are Tony Munsey, Arnold, Thomas, wicket-keeper Mick Pond and Steve Kelly, who was actually in the previous squad but missed out on the final.

“We’re confident but not complacent,” said Wingfield Digby, who is vicar at St Andrew’s Church , Oxford.

“I’m taking the 8am service, and then taking the rest of the day off,” he explained.

Entrance to the late Sir John Paul Getty’s ground – close to junction 5 of the M40 – and parking are both free.

Oxfordshire: from A Wingfield Digby (Swinbrook) capt, I Caunce (Oxford Downs) vice-capt, P Tew, A Cunningham (Sandf-ord St Martin), A Manger (Horspath), R Willis (Uxbridge), T Munsey, M Evans (Cumnor), K Arnold, M Thomas (Banbury Twenty), M Pond (Cropredy), S Kelly (Witney Mills).

Middlesex: B Baxter (Brondesbury) capt, A Jenner (Southgate) vice-capt, P Cook (Ickenham), A Cornwall (Edmonton), A Dhand (Indian Gymkhana), D Littlwewood (Winchmore Hill), C Menzie (Shepherds Bush), J Nightingale (Ickenham), M Staff-ord (Uxbridge), N Stevens (Eastcote), F Wahab (Stanmore). 12th man: J Haskell (Wembley).