Cheshire strengthen squad

Minor Counties champions Cheshire have named a strong 12-man squad for Sunday's MCCA Knockout Trophy clash away to Oxfordshire.

With victories from both of their opening qualifying group matches against Bedfordshire and Shropshire, Cheshire know victory at Great and Little Tew will make them favourites to qualify for this year's quarter-finals, with a game to spare.

Bedfordshire and Shropshire have collected just one point from their opening two matches, while defeat for Oxfordshire would effectively end their hopes of progressing.

Cumberland have one point from one game, so mathematically would be Cheshire's closest rivals if the qualifying process went to the wire and they can string together some wins.

But if Cheshire do win against Oxfordshire, and at home to Cumberland in their last match, then qualification would be guaranteed for the team who were beaten in last year’s final at Lord’s.

Oulton Park seamer Guy Emmett is named in the Cheshire squad, while Neston youngster David Hurst misses out in the onlly change to the squad.

"We've had a good start to the season, but this Sunday is a big match for us," said Cheshire skipper Andy Hall.

"We know a win is going to put us in the driving seat for the quarter-finals, so we'll be really focused on trying to beat them.

"Oxfordshire are a good side. They need to win to improve their chances of qualifying, there's a lot riding on the match.

"But we've already been tested this season and showed a lot of character to get out wins."

Cheshire team: Andy Hall (capt), Danny Leech, Warren Goodwin, Ben Spendlove, James Duffy, Nathan Dumelow, Jason Whittaker, Matt Dawson (wkt), Danny Woods, Adam Syddall, Daniel Berry, Guy Emmett.