OXFORDSHIRE, who lost to Devon by seven runs in the final of last year’s Unicorns Trophy at Wormsley, return there to open this year’s campaign against Herefordshire on Sunday (11am).

It was an agonising final defeat for skipper Luke Ryan’s team, who will be hoping to eradicate that memory with a convincing victory in the Group 4 match at the delightful ground near Stokenchurch.

Oxon give one-day debuts to two players, opening batsman Joe White and seam bowler Will Rooney in a near full-strength side.

White, whose runs helped Great & Little Tew reach the National Village Championship at Lord’s last season, comes in for the experienced Richard Kaufman, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Rooney, the former Thame Town bowler, who now plays for Oxford, will be part of a four-man seam attack that includes allrounder Chad Keegan, Karl Penhale and Ashley Blanchard.

Ryan said: “Joe White has really kicked on since joining Great Tew and did well in the Home Counties Premier league last season.

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“Will Rooney bowled well for us in the three-day Championship. Now he gets his chance alongside an experienced seam attack in the shorter format.”

Ryan added: “On our day we feel we can beat any other county in one-day cricket.

“We were proud of what we achieved last year and hope to go one better by winning it this year.”

Herefordshire will be no pushovers having crushed Berkshire by 93 runs in their opening group game last week.

Tickets cost £10 on the gate for adults (£7.50 if bought in advance), and £1 for children. Oxfordshire members get in for free.

Parking is £5.

Oxfordshire (v Herefordshire): L Ryan (Banbury) capt, S Alam (Leamington), A Blanchard (Banbury), J Cater (wk) (Buckingham), H Darby (Banbury),C Keegan (Henley), K Penhale (Banbury), W Rooney (Oxford), L Sabin (Banbury), R West (Banbury), J White (Gt & Little Tew).