CRICKET: Bowden blow for Banbury

BANBURY look set to compete without an overseas player this season after failing to bring in New Zealander Dewayne Bowden.

Bowden, a left-arm fast-medium bowler, was due to join Banbury for the Division 1 season, but was delayed due to visa complications.

Banbury, who host Oxford in tomorrow’s Oxfordshire derby, will now focus on the seamers they have in their ranks.

Vice-captain Jimmy Phillips said: “Unfortunately our application for Dewayne’s visa failed. I am not exactly sure why.

“He is not going to be coming in the short term.

“He has reapplied, but that will take four-five weeks.”

Phillips said Banbury will reassess whether they need an overseas player later in the season – if they are in the title race or fighting relegation.

If they are lying in mid-table, they will leave things as they are.

“At the moment, we will go with what we have,” said Phillips.

Phillips is himself hoping to recover from a side strain to face Oxford, but in-form batsman Nathan Hawkes is doubtful with a shoulder injury.

Seamer Ed Smith is added to the squad.

“I’m desperate to play,” said Phillips. “Even if I am only 75 per cent fit, then I am sure I will play.”

Batsman Nick Ferraby and all-rounder Stefan Van Dyk return for Oxford, but seamer Brad Sutherland is unavailable after making his debut last week.

They will select their side from a squad of 12.

Skipper Jason Harrison said: “I’m really pleased with the way we have won games, both batting first and batting last.

“We are really looking forward to this match.

“We know they are a good side and have also started well.”

Horspath captain Robbie Eason is unfazed by their failure to win a league game this season as they prepare to visit Farnham Royal in Division 2 West.

Eason has called in Joey Todd to replace the unavailable Adam Krol.

He said: “We are a little bit short on the seam-bowling front, but at the moment I am not overly concerned about the fact that we have not got a win yet.

“I think we are playing quite well.

“We did quite well last week. We showed a bit of character after being 31-3 and batted the game out.”

Thame Town bring in Nilesh Patel and Oxfordshire Under 17 batsman Chris Jeffcock for their home game with Slough.

Michael Beard, who has county commitments with Gloucestershire, and James Neilson (wedding) make way.

Vice-captain Michael Higgs said: “We had Reading 52-4 on Saturday and thought we were going to win.

“But a couple of guys took the game away from us and we did well to claw it back.

“Slough are always going to be close to the top of the league at the end of the season, so Saturday is going to be a tough game.

“But our performances are improving, so hopefully we can go one better this week and win.”

Ninth-placed Aston Rowant host basement boys Dinton, hoping to land their first win.

Banbury (v Oxford, home): from Sabin, Hawkes, Haupt, Shahbaz Ali, Tew, E Phillips, Ryan, Radford, Hawtin (capt), Blanchard, Wright, J Phillips, E Smith.

Oxford (v Banbury, away): from King, I Evans, Laudat, Harrison (capt), Ferraby, Perkin, Crosby, Barrett, Hole, Mendis, Van Dyk, Usman Arif.

Aston Rowant (v Dinton, away): Morgan, Cossins, Cook, Watling, Leon, Morrick (capt), Cooper, Needham, Penhale, Humphreys, Leaney.

Horspath (v Farnham Royal, away): Murray, Phillips, R Eason (capt), Hutchison, Mohammed, Todd, Wynd, W Eason, Skelton, Creed, Jeacock.

Thame Town (v Slough, home): P Patel, N Patel, Jeffcock, Higgs, Lachlan (capt), Parmar, Barnett, Bhatti, S Patel, Rooney, Desai.