CRICKET: Young Taylor and Woods to face Varsity

9:44am Thursday 1st May 2008

Promising teenagers Jack Taylor and Matthew Woods will feature in Oxfordshire's friendly against Oxford University in The Parks on Monday (11).

The pair provide the youth in a fairly strong line-up, while Stratford's Matt Hancock, a left-arm spinner also makes his debut.

All-rounder Taylor, 16, has already played for Gloucestershire 2nd and the ECB-supported World Academy.

Oxford's Jonno Evans will keep wicket with captain Ian Hawtin having a game off from behind the stumps.

Hawtin said: "If I were to get injured, we need to have another wicket-keeper available.

"We will have a look at Jonno on Monday, but he is also one for the future.

"Matthew Woods is a seamer, who did very well in a development game last year and has got links with Middlesex.

"We are looking to play all 12 in the squad and bat 11, so we can assess everyone."

Hancock, who is known to leading batsman Rob Williams, will add to what Hawtin feels are very impressive spin options for the season ahead.

"We have got Paul McMahon, Jack Taylor, Jimmy Phillips and Jamie Noble in the picture and then Luke Ryan, Francois Vainker and Matt Hancock as left-armers.

"That gives us at least six choices, which can only be a good thing."

Oxfordshire: Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Hewitt (Welwyn Garden City), Noble, (Banbury), Si Hole (Banbury), Haupt (Banbury), Williams (Leamington Spa), J Evans (Oxford), Cook (Oxford), Taylor (Great & Little Tew), Woods (Bicester & North Oxford), Hancock (Stratford), McMahon (Wollaton).

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