Oxford skipper Jason Harrison blames the poor pitches at Roman Way for their poor home form this season.

The club, who entertain runaway Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier Division 1 leaders Henley tomorrow, have not won a league game at home this season.

“Our home form has been patchy all year to say the least,” said Harrison.

“The pitches have been poor. They have been variable and you can’t blame the weather. It has been wet in previous summers and the pitches here have been OK.

“We’ve been good on the road. Now it’s time to get it together at home.”

Oxford, who had high hopes of challenging for the title are languishing in mid-table, after struggling to a draw at Tring Park.

Their veteran off-spinner Rupert Evans managed to bowl just one over before damaging a hamstring – an injury that is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

Also unavailable is Joe Porter, whose brave stand with Francois Vainker took Oxford to safety at Tring.

Harrison has included Evans’s two sons, Phil and Ian, in a squad of 13 as he ponders his options.

Henley suffered a shock defeat against bottom club Farnham Royal last week, a result that gives all their pursuers hope.

Best- placed of these are Banbury, who are in second spot, albeit 39 points behind.

“That result shows there are no easy games in this league,” said Banbury captain Ian Hawtin, whose unchanged side entertain Farnham Royal.

“We certainly won’t be taking them lightly.

Damian Shirazi who tweaked a hamstring when playing for Oxfordshire should play.

“We’ve just to concentrate on beating Farnham Royal and then Henley the following week, and see what happens,” added the skipper.

Oxford (v Henley, home): from Harrison (capt), Laudat, Sharma, Ferraby, Charles-worth, D Smith, Mendis, Perkin, St Hole, P Evans, I Evans, Hutcheson, Vainker. Banbury (v Farnham Royal, home): Hawtin (capt), Shirazi, C Smith, Haupt, West, Shahbaz Ali, Bullick, Tew, Murray, Blanchard, Phillips. Thame (v Beaconsfield, away): Brooks (capt), Lachlan, Parmar, Beard, Higgs, P Patel, Jeffcock, Bhatti, Barnett, J Patel, S Patel. Aston Rowant (v Gerrards Cross, away): Morrick (capt), Morgan, Miles, Jewell, Watling, Lyon, Whatman, Easton, Coo-per, Penhale, Lewis.