OXFORDSHIRE are riding a wave of momentum going into tomorrow’s NCCA T20 finals day.

That is the view of captain Jonny Cater as his side aim to clinch their second national title in just over eight months at Tring CC.

Oxon start the day with their semi-final against Cheshire at 10am, with the winners facing Dorset or Cambridgeshire – who play afterwards – in the final at 4pm.

Tring has been a happy hunting ground for Cater and his teammates, having lifted the county’s first NCCA Championship for 32 years at the Hertfordshire venue last September.

And the skipper feels success in red-ball cricket has a knock-on effect on the shorter forms of the game.

Cater said: “When you win something like we did last year there’s always going to be a buzz.

“Winning one trophy always tends to bring out the best in other formats.

“To be in another final so soon after last year’s triumph is really pleasing.”

Oxon reached finals day after winning Group 4 by the skin of their teeth.

They topped the table thanks to Bedfordshire and Berkshire sharing the spoils in their matches, while staying ahead of the latter by a net run rate of 0.02.

Cater added: “We’ve played eight games to get to this point and there have been mixed emotions during the course of the campaign.

“When we’ve been good we’ve been really good, but when we’ve lost matches we’ve gone from one extreme to the other.

“It was quite frustrating and we had some honest conversations.

“We were very fortunate results and net run rate went in our favour, but you make your own luck in these competitions.”

Oxon’s 13-man squad for finals day contains plenty of experience, but also a dash of youth.

Harrison Ward, James Coles, Luke Charlesworth and brothers Tom and Ollie Price are all contracted to first-class counties and will be involved tomorrow.

They have played bit-part roles so far this season, but Cater knows the group are real assets.

He said: “These guys are Oxfordshire born and bred and have come through our system.

“When you have those quality players available it’s difficult to turn down.

“It’s a young side and particularly with this format it has become a younger game.”

OXON SQUAD FOR FINALS DAY

Harrison Ward, Oliver Price, Tom Price, James Coles , Marcus Campopiano, Jonny Cater (capt, w/k), Ollie Currill, Olly Clarke, George Tait, Luke Charlesworth, Robbie Shurmer, Joe Thomas, Prav Chahal.