Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

JOE Porter will make his first Oxford appearance in three years when they visit runaway Division 1 leaders High Wycombe tomorrow.

The batting all-rounder goes straight into the side to replace Nick Hands, despite his lack of league cricket.

“He is a quality player,” said captain Ian Crosby. “It is good to have him back.

“Hopefully, he will get us some runs. He has been playing for the MCC and in friendly matches.

“With the position we are in, we are bringing Joe straight back in. There is no point in having him in the seconds.”

Porter is available for the next five to six weeks, but could hardly have a tougher opener than at Wycombe.

But Crosby stressed: “It is not a game we fear. We are looking foward to it.”

Banbury will be without star spinner Luke Ryan for two weeks due to work commitments.

Ben Stafford replaces the left-armer for their trip to Burnham.

“Luke is away on a rugby tour with Cokethorpe School,” said captain Jimmy Phillips.

“It is unfortunate that it comes during the cricket season, but it is a great opportunity for him.”

He added: “We just want to get back playing and winning.”

Shipton-under-Wychwood make three changes for their home game with Falkland in Division 2 West.

Joe Barrett, Olly Clayfield and Christian Brain come in for Steve Bates, George Seacole and Chris Oliver.

Shipton’s comprehensive 97-run defeat to leaders Dinton was the only match played in the division last week.

“We were a little bit under par,” admitted captain Simon Hole. “Having not played for three weeks caught up with us.

“Hopefully, we can catch Falkland a bit cold, as they didn’t play last week.

“We need to get into a rhythm of playing every week.”

Thame Town are unchanged for the visit of fourth-placed Slough.

This means opening batsman Jesal Rathod should make his debut after last week’s washout.

Adam Cossins and Andrew Tolson come into the Aston Rowant side for their home clash with Farnham Royal.

Thad Cooper and Josh Smith are out as Rowant seek to maintain their promotion challenge.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Banbury (v Burnham, away): from L Sabin, Tew, Wirth, Desai, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Cater, Blanchard, Wright, J Phillips (capt), J Megson.

Oxford (v High Wycombe, away): King, Sandbach, Laudat, Canning, Perkin, Porter, Crosby (capt), Vainker, Mendis, Sutherland, Geeson-Brown.

Aston Rowant (v Farnham Royal, home): Morrick (capt), Watling, Morgan, Ferraby, Tolson, Penhale, Leaney, Muttit, Cossins, Carlton, Cook.

Shipton-under-Wychwood (v Falkland, home): Chr Brain, R Barrett, J Barrett, Hole (capt), Senior, Wood, Hunt, Clayfield, Chr Brain, Gurney, Miller.

Thame Town (v Slough, home): Rathod, Neilson, Higgs, S Patel, P Patel, S Lachlan, Barnett, Jivrajani, Parmar, Desai, Rooney.