SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE

OXFORD have signed Oxfordshire Academy wicket-keeper Jasper Davies to boost their Division 2 West promotion push.

The Oxford Brookes University student goes straight into the side for tomorrow’s home clash with Great & Little Tew after joining from Great Brickhill.

Oxford captain Ian Crosby said: “We have been tracking Jasper since the start of the season.

“He had already committed to Brickhill and wanted to honour that.

“He has now decided that he wants to play at a better level of cricket and push his chances to represent Oxfordshire.

“Hopefully, having Jasper in the side will have a good effect on Jamie Perkin’s batting as it will take the pressure off him keeping wicket.”

Also coming into the squad are Tim Sutton, Philip Evans, Chris Sandbach and Ian Evans.

Stewart Laudat, Tom Godsell, Joe Ewen and Joe Porter are all away.

Robbie Catling and Robbie Shurmer join Tew’s squad as cover for seamers Matt Woods and Liam Manley.

Woods has been feeling unwell after playing for Oxfordshire against Wales, while Manley suffered concussion following a blow to the head while batting last week.

Tew have lost their last three matches, but skipper Andy Harris said: “We are still fourth in the league and have just played two of the sides that will finish in the top three.

“I am not really too worried about that run.

“It is about picking up as many points from these fixtures as we can.”

Andrew Tolson, Thad Cooper, who will keep wicket, and Leigh Lewis come into the Aston Rowant side to host Reading.

Nick Ferraby, who is getting married, Josh Smith and Ricky Hopwood are all away.

Rowant captain Wesley Morrick believes his third-placed team are now hitting the form that could see them mount a promotion challenge.

“We always finish strongly, but it would be nice to get off to a good start,” said Morrick.

“We have got nothing to lose, but need to keep on playing positive cricket.”

Justin Lambden makes his league debut as Banbury visit Tring Park in Division 1.

He replaces fellow batsman Craig Haupt (holiday), while Chris Thompson comes in for seamer Ashley Blanchard (work commitments).

“Justin has played in most of our Twenty20 matches and has had a couple of good not outs to get us over the line,” said captain Jimmy Phillips.

“He has earned his chance, not so much for his volume of runs, but how he has kept calm in pressure situations.”

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

Banbury (v Tring Park, away): Sabin, Lambden, West, Hawkes, Cater, Tew, Ryan, Thompson, Barends, Wright, J Phillips (capt).
Aston Rowant (v Reading, home): Shirazi, Morgan, Watling, Tolson, Cooper, Lewis, Morrick (capt), Cook, Muttitt, Penhale, Harris.
Oxford (v Great & Little Tew, home): from Clough, Perera, Perkin, Crosby (capt), Davies, Sutton, Sandbach, P Evans, I Evans, Mendis, Sutherland, Vainker.
Great & Little Tew (v Oxford, home): from Smith, White, Gross, Slatter, Hubbert, Brock, Woods, Harris (capt), Megson, Manley, Bryan, Catling, Shurmer.