Home Counties Premier League

Banbury have secured the signing of Wiltshire's opening batsman, Damien Shirazi.

Shirazi, who will join Abingdon School as director of cricket in September, is set for his Banbury debut in tomorrow's Division 1 trip to struggling Falkland.

Banbury captain Benji Hector: "He has been knocking on our door looking for a decent club and we are very happy he has joined us.

"He has got one or two mates he used to play with here already, so that's why he decided to come across.

"He got a century for Wiltshire against Oxfordshire recently and we are all looking forward to having him on board."

Also coming into Banbury's squad are spinner Jimmy Phillips and batsman Jaimie Noble, while Eddie Phillips and Simon Hole miss out.

Having beaten leaders Tring Park last week, Banbury could still force their way into the title reckoning.

"The confidence is right up there at the moment," said Hector.

"But we are not going to get ahead of ourselves.

"Falkland are desperate for a win, so we can't take a side like that for granted."

Third-placed Oxford are unchanged for their home game with Reading.

And they will hope their luck changes after the rain denied them a good chance of victory at Slough last week.

Skipper Jason Harrison said: "There's no reason to change. Everyone is available and fit.

"We are getting to the stage where any team who puts a run together will really force the issue at the top.

"As defending champions, we believe that can be us."

Kidlington add Jon Kitson and Tim Dredge to their squad as they chase their first Division 2 West win at Finchampstead.

Noel Pearson is unavailable, while Dave Taylor will play despite bruising his left toe batting for Oxfordshire against Berkshire.

Captain Shahbaz Ali said: "We are still waiting on Rory Kleinveldt's availability because he played for Hampshire's first team last week.

"Hopefully we can get a game on after last week at home."

That fixture was called off after the umpires ruled the Stratfield Brake pitch unplayable.

Thame Town give a debut to new signing Matt Luxford, 20, in their home clash with Gerrards Cross.

Luxford replaces Chris Wynd, who has returned to Leeds.

Wicket-keeper Chris Mitty is back, but spinner Steve Merry is away in Chicago.

Skipper Rob Brooks said: "Matt is a batsman who I know from Lord Williams's School. He is now back from university."

Such is the tightness of the division that Thame's heavy defeat to Thatcham Town saw them slip to one point off the drop zone.

Brooks added: "Someone will be very unfortunate to go down at the end of the season.

"We hope that it's not us."

Banbury (v Falkland, away): from C Smith, Haupt, Hector (capt), Shirazi, Noble, Hawtin, Ryan, Taylor, E Smith, Newhook, J Phillips, Murrey.

Oxford (v Reading, home): Harrison (capt), Cook, Laudat, Sharma, Porter, Charlesworth, Crosby, J Evans, Vainker, Brooks, R Evans.

Kidlington (v Finchampstead, away): from Nawaz Ali, Taylor, Kleinveldt, Buckingham, Shahbaz Ali (capt), Howitt, Kitson Shazad Rana, Jamil Faruq, Faisal Chaudhry, Dredge, Liyanarachchi.

Thame Town (v Gerrards Cross, home): Parmar, Luxford, Bhatti, Brooks (capt), M Beard, L Merry, Meredith, Higgs, Lachlan, McBrien, Mitty.