Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

ANDREW Sabin’s half century has not proved enough to keep him in Banbury’s side for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table Division 1 clash with High Wycombe.

The experienced campaigner, who made 56 in a 129-run opening stand with his son Lloyd last week, drops to the seconds.

Also missing out are Eddie Philips and Ollie Wright, while Craig Haupt, Shahbaz Ali and Ashley Blanchard all return as second-placed Banbury’ bid to inflict a first defeat on leaders Wycombe.

Captain Ian Hawtin said: “We have done pretty well so far. It is just a case of trying to keep things going.

“There are two or three sides at the bottom who are drifting away, but most are still in contention.”

Seamer Tom Geeson-Brown makes his maiden first-team apearance of the season as Oxford host Bishop’s Stortford.

Dan King returns, while fellow batsman Jamie Perkin and paceman Stuart Hole are unavailable.

Skipper Jason Harrison said: “We got ourselves a really competitive score against Henley last week before the rain came – after being under pressure at the start.

“I’m looking for that level of performamce again as we have shown throughout the season.

“If we can repeat that then Bishop’s Stortford will have to play very well to beat us.”

Horspath will be without batsman Ned Murray and seamer Mark Skelton for their trip to Slough in Division 2 West.

Skelton has work commitments, while Murray is away surfing, so Mohson Rana and Dean Creed come in.

“We are doing pretty well, “ said captain Robbie Eason.

“We know it is going to be a stern test on Saturday as Slough are tipped as promotion challengers, but we are up for it.”

Chris Jeffcock replaces Ed Barnett as improving Thame Town visit Dinton, seeking some revenge.

Vice-captain Michael Higgs said: “Dinton thrashed us in both games last year and they were our two worst games of the season.

“No likes losing to their local rivals. We are hoping for a better performance this time round.”

Aston Rowant visit Reading, who are one place and six points behind them in seventh spot.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Banbury (v High Wycombe, home): Hawtin (capt), L Sabin, Haupt, Shahbaz Ali, West, Ryan, Shaw, Blanchard, E Smith, J Phillips.

Oxford (v Bishops Stortford, home): Harrison (capt), Barrett, Laudat, Ferraby, King, Crosby, Geeson-Brown, Mendis, I Evans, Sutherland, Arif.

Horspath (v Slough, away): O’Connor, Phillips, R Eason (capt), Hutchison, Wynd, W Eason, Krol, Mohammed, Rana, Creed, Jeacock.

Thame Town (v Dinton, away): Neilson, Mi Higgs, Bhatti, P Patel, Lachlan (capt), Parmar, S Patel, N Patel, Jeffcock, Desai, Rooney.