Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

IAN Crosby says things are finally looking up for Oxford as they prepare to visit Tring Park in Division 1 tomorrow.

Oxford’s captain was delighted with their first league win of the season against Harpenden last week and urged his players to push on.

“Things are looking positive, although we still need to improve our batting,” said Crosby.

“The gap between us and second-bottom Burnham is now only five points.

“We have got two big home games coming up after this.

“Hopefully, we can build on last Saturday. The lads were buzzing afterwards.”

Batsman John Barrett comes in for unavailable spinner Ian Evans.

Banbury will have a teenage opening batting partnership when they visit Harpenden.

Adam Wirth, 16, comes in for his debut alongside Lloyd Sabin, who is already fairly experienced – despite just having turned 18.

Wirth replaces Ian Tew, who is at a wedding in the USA, while all-rounder Ben Stafford makes his league debut as Oxon seamer Ashley Blanchard has work commitments.

Banbury captain Jimmy Phillips said: “Adam has done quite well in the seconds.

“He has been training really hard and deserves his chance.”

Banbury slipped to fourth after last week’s defeat at Welwyn Garden City, so Phillips is keen to get back on track.

“It has not gone that well for us in the last couple of games,” he said.

“We have lacked a few runs, but we have got lots of talent and will turn it around.”

Banbury (v Harpenden, away): L Sabin, Wirth, Desai, Hawkes, West, Cater, Ryan, Blanchard, Wright, J Megson, J Phillips (capt). Oxford (v Tring Park, away): King, Sandbach, Laudat, Canning, Perkin, Crosby (capt), Barrett, Vainker, Mendis, Sutherland, Geeson-Brown.