PLAYING the Oxford MCCU students always gives a few of the Worcestershire guys an opportunity to show what they can do in the first team.

It also gives others the chance to spend some time in the middle against slightly lesser bowling attacks than you come against in the County Championship.

If I am being honest, then in a time when people are complaining about too much cricket and the scheduling, the university match is a game we could do without.

However, it does give a chance to the younger players out of the first team or to those who have not been performing too well.

We go into every game looking to win, though, and there will be a few team changes. Ben Cox will take up the gloves and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform as he has been looking good with the bat.

Joe Leach is a bit of an all-rounder, so I am hoping he can impress with the bat and the ball, while it will be Graeme Cessford’s first-class debut.

‘Cess’ is certainly the quickest of our bowlers — he has that raw pace and reasonable control, so I am looking forward to seeing how he goes out in the middle.

Against Hampshire last week, it was a poor performance all round if I am being honest.

Although we lost the toss and they batted first, I felt there was plenty in the wicket to begin with and the ball seamed around, but we just didn’t bowl enough balls in the right areas.

The wicket became flatter as the game went on, but we didn’t bat well enough either and we lost quite a few wickets playing false shots.

However, it is too early to be pressing the panic button — it was a bad performance at Hampshire and we were up against it at Glamorgan after losing the toss in those conditions, but we played well at Lancashire.

There were a few home truths spoken after the game at Southampton, firstly from me, but then we had a good open forum which led to a frank and honest discussion.

After this week’s game at Oxford, we have a one-day game at Sussex on Sunday, but then we will be back to New Road for our first home four-day game against Leicestershire.

Head groundsman Tim Packwood and his team have worked wonders to get the ground into any sort of shape after the flooding we had over the winter.

It will be nice to be back at home for a game and not having to spend the week living out of a suitcase!