BERKSHIRE CCC open their defence of the Unicorns Counties Knockout Trophy against Oxfordshire on Sunday (11am start).

The fixture will be played at Bicester & North Oxford CC with Berks due to play their first home game in Group Four against Staffordshire on Sunday, May 11 at Wargrave.

They will also play Herefordshire at Kidmore End and make the short trip to Dinton to take on Buckinghamshire.

Team manager Jeff Jones said: “We lost our opening game last season before going on to beat Shropshire in the final.

“We have had some exciting games against Oxfordshire over the years and I am expecting another on Sunday. Hopefully we will make a winning start this time.” Michael Roberts spent last season with Hampshire but returns to the Berkshire side, and will open the innings with Henley teammate David Barnes. Ex- Middlesex bowler Robbie Williams is also set to make his Knockout Cup derby for the county.

Unicorns had played in the Yorkshire Bank 40 along with first class counties for four seasons, but that ECB competition has been changed leaving them out in the cold.

The Minor Counties Cricket Association competition secretary Philip August said Unicorns, whose side was managed by former Berkshire wicketkeeper and team boss Gordon Child, had been an important player in county cricket and was keen for the name to continue.

The MCCA wanted to drop the word ‘minor’ believing it had put off potential sponsors for their competitions. The three-day championship, starting on June 8, will also carry the name of Unicorns Counties.

Berkshire: Barnes, Roberts, Richard Morris, James Morris (c), Stephens, Brock, Davison (wktkpr), Carter, Williams, Nugent, Singjh, Sharath.

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