Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

BANBURY captain Jimmy Phillips in unfazed about missing Oxfordshire pair Jonny Cater and Ashley Blanchard for tomorrow’s Division 1 trip to Harpenden.

Cater, a wicket-keeper/batsman, will be be absent for the next two weeks due to his school teaching commitments.

Seamer Blanchard works one Saturday morning a month, so will play for Banbury 2nd as he could not get to Harpenden in time.

Ian Tew and Chris Thompson come in, while Eddie Phillips will keep wicket.

“It is a shame to be without them, but we have got two able replacements coming in,” said Jimmy Phillips.

“Ian is an experienced batsman and Chris has already taken wickets for the first team this season.”

Banbury will look to build on what the skipper viewed as an “excellent performance” in last week’s home draw with Slough.

“We lost a really big toss and were inserted on a green wicket,” he said.

“We had by far and away the worst of the conditions, but dominated the game.”

Second-placed Great & Little Tew are again unchanged for their trip to third-placed Reading in Division 2 West.

Captain Andy Harris said: “I could not have asked for anything more from the players.

“It is making my job quite easy, but I am sure there will be a lot of tougher games to come.”

Tew have surprised many by winning four of their six games.

But Harris said: “I have always known that we have got that potential.

“I am really pleased that we have been able to adapt to the standard of the Home Counties Premier League so quickly and stamp our ability on to it.”

Opening batsman Vishane Perera and seamer Joe Ewen return for leaders Oxford, who visit Harefield.

They replace Stefan Van Dyk and Ian Evans.

Captain Ian Crosby said: “We are going for a more traditional opening batsman and an extra seamer.

“Hopefully, Saturday’s performance against Gerrards Cross was just a minor blip.

“We were pleased to come out of it without getting beaten.”

Aston Rowant make two changes for their trip to Dinton.

Adam Cossins and Ricky Hopwood, who returns from holiday, replace Josh Smith and Tom Needham.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Banbury (v Harpenden, away): L Sabin, E Phillips, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Tew, Ryan, Thompson, Barends, Wright, J Phillips (capt).

Aston Rowant (v Dinton, away): Watling, Morgan, Hopwood, Ferraby, Morrick (capt), Cook, Penhale, Muttitt, Cossins, Leaney, Rooney.

Oxford (v Harefield, away): Clough, Perera, Laudat, Perkin, Hole, Crosby (capt), Godsell, Mendis, Vainker, Sutherland, Ewen.

Great & Little Tew (v Reading, away): Smith, White, Gross, Slatter, Hubbert, Manley, Harris (capt), Woods, Brock, Shurmer, Megson.