LUKE Ryan insists he is not worried about Oxfordshire’s winless start to the season as his side bid to end their one-day campaign on a high note.

After three successive defeats in the Unicorns Counties Trophy, Oxon sit bottom of Group 1 and have only pride to play for when they travel to Werrington to play Cornwall on Sunday.

Their preparations for this year’s campaign were not helped by the abandonment of their friendly against Buckinghamshire on April 17 due to heavy rain.

Captain Ryan admitted it may have played a contributing factor, but is not too concerned by the defeats to Devon, Dorset and Berkshire which followed.

When asked if he could put into words Oxon’s winless start, he said: “We discussed it as a group and it is quite hard to put a finger on specifics.

“We feel like we didn’t have the intensity of previous years, particularly because our pre-season game was rained off and preparation was affected, but I don’t think it is too worrying.

“When you are playing good teams you can come out on the wrong side.

“One of the big things is we have not scored enough runs at the top of the order and no-one has kicked on.”

Ryan added: “It is just about a bit of pride now, trying to get some momentum for the three-day campaign.

“It is obviously always good to play for Oxfordshire and I know the boys will give it their all.”

Freddie Fairhead is set to make his county debut.

The Oxford batsman comes into the side which lost by four wickets to Dorset last weekend, replacing Great & Little Tew’s Joe White, who is unavailable.

Ryan said: “He played really well against Banbury (in a friendly) scoring 80-odd and solidly a couple of times in the league.

“He is a young player that has a lot of ability and it makes sense to bring him in.”

Seamer Karl Penhale replaces Banbury teammate Ollie Wright in the only other change.

And Ryan is backing the bowler to step up after missing the last two one-day matches.

He said: “He needs to get some overs under his belt.

“It is the perfect opportunity to play Saturday (for Banbury) and Sunday to get fitness work in for the three-day matches.”

SUNDAY’S TEAM

Oxfordshire: Ryan (Banbury), Cater (Buckingham), Darby (Banbury), Fairhead (Oxford), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Keegan (unattached), Penhale (Banbury), Rooney (Thame Tn), Sabin (Banbury), Stephens (Oxford), West (Banbury).