SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE

BANBURY will begin their Division 1 campaign without South African all-rounder Brady Barends due to a paperwork delay.

But captain Jimmy Phillips is confident the 24-year-old Kwa-Zulu Natal man will soon be on board at White Post Road.

Overseas player Barends is the biggest of Banbury’s signings for the new season, which starts at home to Welwyn Garden City tomorrow.

“He should be with us in a couple of weeks,” said Phillips.

“There was just a bit of a delay with his paperwork.

“We were looking to have him for the first game, but we have got the all-clear from the ECB and he can apply for his visa now.”

Banbury will have ex-Thame all-rounder Michael Beard available from June after he was released by Gloucestershire.

Chris Thompson, another all-rounder, has joined from Sandford St Martin, while Paul Atkins has come in as player-coach.

Former skipper Ian Hawtin has retired and young seamer Josh Megson has joined Great and Little Tew.

Phillips tipped Richard West and Olly Wright as players to watch this season, but stressed now was not the time to talk of a title bid.

“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” said Phillips.

“You can’t win the league in May. We want to make sure we are training and preparing properly for matches.

“That is one of the reasons why we have brought Paul Atkins in as coach.”

IN: Michael Beard (all-rounder, Froster), Chris Thompson (all-rounder, Sandford St Martin). Paul Atkins (coach, Chearsley).

OUT: Ian Hawtin (retired) Josh Megson (seamer, Great Tew).

Banbury (v Welwyn Garden City, home): from Tew, L Sabin, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Cater, E Phillips, Ryan, Blanchard, Wright, J Phillips (capt), Thompson.