Shipton-under-Wychwood will bid to make the most of an unexpected chance of home advantage in their semi-final against Rowledge on Sunday as they bid for a dream fourth trip to Lord’s.

National champions in 2002 and 2003 as well as runners-up in 1997, Shipton find themselves with the opportunity to stage the clash on their High Street ground after heavy overnight rain washed out the original clash at the Surrey club last Sunday.

Skipper Paul Hemming admitted to mixed feelings about last weekend’s wash-out.

“There was one of anti-climax that the game couldn’t be played, but being at home gives us a better chance of winning,” he said.

“It’s also a very good money-spinner, which comes in useful for the club.

“Had we had that amount of rain on our ground last Sunday we couldn’t have played.

“We haven’t lost at home for 15 years and we know the nuances of the ground. We’re all looking forward to it.”

The winners will play North Yorkshire side Sessay at Lord’s on Sunday, September 12 after they beat Warwickshire side Fillongly by 65 runs in the other semi-final.

Despite Shipton’s impressive home record in the competition, Hemming’s side aren’t taking anything for grant.

“Too right we are not getting complacent,” he said. “They are obviously a decent side for getting as far as they have.

“But we can’t worry too much about them, we have to concentrate on what we do.”

Shipton will again in their faith in their powerful batting line-up where Andrew Hemming, who has a double century and two tons in the competition this season, Steve Bates and Jason Hunt have been very much to the fore.

“I think batting is our strength big time,” added Paul Hemming.

“We do bowl quite well in it as well and if we can do that and play to our potential I am not going to say we will win for sure, but they will have to be a good side to beat us.”

Rowledge captain David Lloyd believes it may be a case of now or never for his side to reach Lord’s.

“Most of us are in our 30-somethings now, so we may not have this opportunity again,” he said.

“Shipton are a powerful side, but we aren’t bad either.”

Shipton-under-Wychwood: P Hemming (capt), A Hemming, Charlie Brain, Bates, Hunt, Senior, Lambert, Jennings, Miller, Panter, King. 12th man: Prior-Wandesforde.

Rowledge: Lloyd, C Yates, Clapham, R Yates, Dickinson, Morant, Metcalfe, Smith, Forbes, Wheatley, Bonser.