JONNY Cater has challenged his players to make the most of their chance when Oxfordshire play three friendly matches over Easter.

Oxon prepare for their Unicorns Counties Trophy campaign with two 50-over games against Sussex Academy at Blackstone, near Chichester, tomorrow and Sunday.

They also face Buckinghamshire in a friendly at Aston Rowant on Monday.

Captain Cater says it is a chance for players to stake a claim for a place in the team for the Group 1 opener against Cornwall on April 23.

He said: “It’s a fresh outlook on things and everyone has the same opportunity.

“We still have experienced characters who have been around for a few years, but for the younger crop I don’t think there’s been a better opportunity to break in with Chad Keegan retiring and Luke Ryan reducing his playing load.”

Cater will keep wicket the first two days, before handing over the gloves to Banbury youngster Will Hawtin.

Hugo Darby, last year’s captain Ryan and the Horspath duo of Harrison Ward and Will Eason will be added to the squad on Monday.

OXON LINE-UPS

Sussex Academy (Saturday): J Cater (Buckingham Town) capt, L Bethell (Aston Rowant), O Clarke (Banbury), H Eltham (Oxford), J Garrett (Great & Little Tew), R Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), L Manley (Great & Little Tew), K Penhale (Aston Rowant), H Robyns (Aston Rowant), L Sabin (Banbury), B Taylor (Banbury), J White (Great & Little Tew).

Sussex Academy (Sunday): Cater, Bethell, Clarke, Eltham, Garrett, Kaufman, Manley, Penhale, Robyns, Sabin, Taylor, White, O Wright (Banbury).

Bucks (Monday): Cater, Bethell, H Darby (Spencer), W Eason (Horspath), Eltham, A Harris (Great & Little Tew), W Hawtin (Banbury), Kaufman, L Ryan (Spencer), Sabin, H Ward (Horspath), R West (Banbury), Wright.