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IAN Hawtin is set to return as Banbury captain for tomorrow’s home clash with leaders High Wycombe.

Hawtin had feared the fractured elbow he sustained in a fall at home might rule him out for the season But he will lead the side tomorrow, barring any last-minute complications, and could also return for Oxfordshire’s next match.

“I am feeling good,” said Hawtin. “It is a little bit stiff, but that is to be expected.

“I played for the seconds last week without any problems.

He added: “At one time I did fear that I would be out for the season, but over the last three to four weeks it has steadily improved.

“Four weeks ago, I was thinking I had no chance.”

Hawtin and Ashley Blanchard return, with Ben Stafford dropping out.

On the county front, Richard Kaufman has been filling in as skipper, but it remains to be seen if he will make way for Hawtin in the next match.

“I am available for selection for the next game, assuming everying is OK,” said Hawtin.

“I will talk to Rupert Evans (Oxfordshire’s head of cricket) about it when we have the selection meeting.”

Vice-captain Jimmy Phillips said: “If we are to have any chance of winning the league, we need to win on Saturday.”

All-rounder Stefan Van Dyk and spinner Ian Evans replace unavailable duo Brad Sutherland and Chris Sandbach as Oxford host Potters Bar.

Ian Crosby’s men are 22 points from safety after last week’s battling draw at leaders High Wycombe, but the skipper feels they are making steasdy progress.

“We have only lost one game in six and were very unlucky to lose that one at Tring,” said Crosby.

“Twenty-two points is only one win. It is not like we are three wins away from getting off the bottom.

“I am certainly not panicking. If we get a win this week, we can really push on.”

Crosby added: “It was always going to be a tough chase at Wycome, but we came out of it pretty well.

“Ryan Canning batted beautifully and there were some other good signs, but we need to start winning.”

Banbury (v High Wycombe, home): from Tew, L Sabin, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Cater, Hawtin (capt), Blanchard, Desai, Wright, Megson, J Phillips.


Oxford (v Potters Bar, home): Perkin, Laudat, Canning, King, Porter, Crosby (capt), Vainker, Mendis, Van Dyk, I Evans, Geeson-Brown.