OXFORDSHIRE bid to secure their place in the top tier of the new-look Unicorns Counties Championship when they face Cheshire at Thame Town CC from Sunday.

Renamed the National Counties Cricket Association for 2020, the competition will still be separated into Western and Eastern sections.

But the ten-team divisions will be split to create a two-tier structure, where the winners of the top leagues contest the overall final.

Oxon sit second heading into their final fixture and, although they cannot catch leaders Berkshire, are well-placed to be in Division 1 West next year as they are 15 points clear of fifth-placed Wiltshire.

Richard Kaufman, Tom Cosford and Joe Butcher are unavailable, so Callum Russell, Freddie Smith and Harvey Eltham return.

Thame wicket-keeper/batsman Russell is looking forward to the opportunity.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back in the set-up.

“It was a fixture I was really keen to be a part of considering it is the first time my club are hosting an Oxfordshire fixture for 20 years.”

SUNDAY’S TEAM

Oxfordshire: G Andrew (Ombersley), J Cater (Buckingham Tn), O Clarke (Banbury), H Eltham, O Price (both Oxford), C Russell (Thame Tn), G Sandbach, F Smith (both Oxford Downs), H Smith (Leamington), M Warner (Chesham), R White (Buckingham Tn).