Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

Oxford will look to record their second win at Butts Way in five days when they visit Aston Rowant in Division 1 on Saturday.

Having defeated Rowant by 48 runs in Tuesday’s Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup semi-final, Oxford will be favourites to do the double.

Batsman Dan King and spinner Ian Evans replace unavailable pair Chris Sandbach and Stefan van Dyk.

Captain Jason Harrison said: “I am very pleased with the way we are going in Twenty20 and we got a crucial victory on Saturday, so we are on a roll.”

Saturday’s 84-run victory over Harpenden saw Stuart Hole take 7-24 and came after Oxford had been 57-9.

Harrison said: “One bonus is that we bat down to No 11. Philip Evans has scored a Minor Counties 50 and Shami Mendis has scored a few 50s in the Home Counties League.

“All we needed was a partnership.”

Harrison said the wicket had been “pretty good” despite rain during the week.

“As it dried out, the ball swung a long way,” he added.

“Stuart Hole bowled the best I have seen him.

“It looked like they were going to nick balls all the time. It was that kind of day.”

Rowant, for their part, should at least be boosted by Wednesday’s Cockspur Cup Twenty20 victory over Banbury.

Chris Eaton is at a wedding and Dom Whatman is unavailable, so Simon Lambourne and Chris Davis come in.

Rowant have yet to win in Division 1, but have not always been outplayed.

Chairman Gary Condon said: “Things are turning round, we are nearly there.”

Banbury can do themselves and Oxford a favour by beating leaders Welwyn Garden City at White Post Road.

Captain Ian Hawtin has named the same team that lost to Henley by seven wickets last week.

“Hopefully that was just a blip,” he said.

Batsmen Tom Whitehead and Nilesh Patel come into the Thame Town side for their home game with Farnham Royal in Division 2 West.

They replace Dan Chowns and Rob Jackson, with vice-captain Michael Higgs pronouncing the leaders “back to full strength”.

Higgs added: “I think this is the best spell of form in the last three years.

“The fewest points we have had is 11. When we lost last year we were only getting a few points.”

Aston Rowant (v Oxford, home): Morrick (capt), Jewell, Morgan, Watling, Todd, Lewis, T Needham, Lambourne, Davis, Penhale, Humphreys.

Oxford (v Aston Rowant, away): King, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Ferraby, Perkin, Crosby, Hole, J Evans, Mendis, I Evans, P Evans.

Banbury (v Welwyn Garden City, home): L Sabin, E Phillips, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Shahbaz Ali, Hawtin (capt), Ryan, Blanchard, J Phillips, Gutheridge.

Thame Town (v Farnham Royal, home): Beard, P Patel, Bhatti, Jeffcock, Higgs, Parmar, S Patel, Lachlan (capt), Rooney, Whitehead, N Patel.