HORSPATH skipper Will Eason is anticipating an exciting climax to the Division 2 campaign, which has become a three-horse race between them, Oxford and in-form Amersham.

“It’s great for the league to have such a close race,” said Eason, whose team visit local rivals Aston Rowant in the Serious Cricket Home Counties League tomorrow.

Eason feels the return to the 50-50 format suits his team, although they will be without Patrick Foster – last week’s match-winner against bottom club Cookham Dean last week – as he is on holiday.

James Phillips is also missing for the leaders, who bring in-form Mark Skelton and Jamil Faruk into the side.

Oxford, who slipped to third after being shot out for 86 by Amersham last week, visit mid-table side Datchet.

“We did not apply ourselves against a good attack, although I felt 150 would have been a winning score,” said skipper James Barrett.

He feels the return to 50-50 comes at a good time for Oxford, as they have had injuries to key bowlers Mark Beer and Harvey Eltham, who can now bowl in the format, which requires at least a five-man attack.

They will not be able rely so heavily on the prolific seamer Samad Fallah.

Andrew Clough and Ian Crosby come in for Vishane Perera and Owyn Tong-Jones.

Shipton-under-Wychwood welcome the return of Calvin Dickinson for their match at home to basement club Cookham Dean.

The talented batsman missed the narrow defeat by Datchet, due to his exertions for Essex 2nd XI.

Dickinson replaces Matt Brown, while Ian Lewis comes in for Craig Wood, who is attending a funeral.

“I’m confident we’ll beat Cookham on our home ground,” said Shipton skipper Charlie Brain.

Thame Town will be without skipper Mike Higgs. Michael Beard takes over the reins for the trip to Buckingham.

“It seems to be between us and Gerrards Cross for the second relegation spot,” said Higgs, who led his side to victory against Buckingham earlier in the season.

With Ed Barnett returning to the football field, Chris Jeffock and Dan Patey come in.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Horspath ( v Aston Rowant, away): W Eason (capt), Stead, R Eason, Ali, Raja, Ward, Skelton, Price, Davies, Belcher, Faruq.

Oxford (v Datchet, away): Barrett (capt), Clough, Alam, Eltham, Munsey, Crosby, Stephens, Mendis, Beer, Simon, Fallah.

Shipton (v Cookham, home): Brain (capt), Hole, Dickinson, Perkin, Barrett, C Miller, Swann, Lewis, Sanklecha, Cross, S Miller.

Thame (v Buckingham, away): Beard (capt), Thomas, Sutcliffe, Garg, MacDonald, Lachlan, Phippen, Mushtaq, Patey, Adams, Jeffcock.