OXFORD have signed England Under 19 paceman Abidine Sakande ahead of tomorrow’s Division 1 home clash with Slough.

The 18-year-old Oxford University student, who is part of the Sussex set-up, goes straight ino the side, replacing the unavailable Brad Sutherland.

“He is a quality player and has played quite a lot for Sussex 2nd,” said Oxford captain Ian Crosby.

“He will strengthen our seam bowling alongside Stuart Hole and Mark Beer.”

Dan Bowyer is also added to a squad of 12.

Sakande’s signing comes partly through the growing links Sussex have with Oxfordshire Cricket Board.

Crosby said: “Sussex wanted him playing club cricket during the university term time.

“He is only in his first year, so hopefully this will be a long-term thing for us.”

He added: “We have got to improve on last week’s batting performance. Hopefully, that was just a one-off.”

In-form batsman Nathan Hawkes returns for leaders Banbury’s home game against High Wycombe, with Justin Lambden dropping out.

Banbury are keen to build on three straight wins, provided they get the game on.

“Our ground is not in great shape after all the rain we have had on it,” said skipper Jimmy Phillips “One of our former players, Tim Smith, is a helicopter pilot, but I doubt the RAF will let him fly here and help dry it out!

“We will do all we can to get the game on. It’s one of the matches you really look forward to.

“Wycombe are one of the top sides.

“If we can get a game on and get another win, that will put us in really good shape.”

Aston Rowant visit Burnham in search of their first win.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Banbury (v High Wycombe, home): L Sabin, Harris, Haupt, Cater, West, Hawkes, Bartlett, Manley, Blanchard, J Phillips (capt), Ryan.

Oxford (v Slough, home): from Clough, Vainker, Laudat, Perkin, Davis, Crosby (capt), Mendis, Hole, Beer, Sakande, I Evans, Bowyer.