SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE

OXFORD will go top of Division 2 West if they win at leaders Gerrards Cross tomorrow as the league reverts to its 50-over format.

Having beaten Falkland last time out and seen fellow Oxfordshire side Aston Rowant defeat Cross, Oxford know they have a great chance of winning the title and promotion.

“It is a massive game,” said Oxford captain Ian Crosby. “We have played really well over the last month to six weeks.”

“It was a little bit tight on Saturday, but we managed to scrape home.

“It is very tight between the top three with four games of win-loss cricket to go.”

Brad Sutherland replaces seamer Joe Ewen, who is unavailable, while spinner Ian Evans is added to the squad as an extra bowling option.

Aston Rowant have a squad of 13 for their trip to Harefield.

All-rounder Nick Ferraby returns after honeymoon, while seamers Linsey Smith is added as cover for seamer Karl Penhale, who will have a fitness test on a side strain.

“All we can do is try and win every game from now and see where we finish up,” said captain Wesley Morrick, whose side are 18 points off top spot.

“If any of the top three win all their games, they will probably win the league.

“At least we’ve given ourselves a chance. If Oxford beat Gerrards Cross, that would be quite a nice result for us.”

Great & Little Tew visit Dinton, with seamer Josh Megson added to their squad.

Tew’s solid debut season at this level was built around their limited overs form early on and captain Andy Harris wants them to finish strongly.

“We have got quite a well-balanced side, so that should play into our hands in these 50-50 games with bowling restrictions,” he said.

“The next three weeks are really big games where we play against sides below us.”

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Great & Little Tew (v Dinton, away): from Smith, White, Gross, Slatter, Hubbert, Brock, Catling, Megson, Harris (capt), Manley, Bryan, Woods.

Oxford (v Gerrards Cross, away): from Clough, Perera, Laudat, Perkin, Vainker, Sutton, Crosby (capt), Mendis, Davies, Godsell, Sutherland, I Evans.

Aston Rowant (v Harefield, away): from Watling, Morrick (capt), Morgan, Shirazi, Ferraby, Muttitt, Cook, Harris, Tolson, Penhale, Hopwood, J Smith, L Smith.