OXFORD captain Ian Crosby is backing his spin trio to shine in tomorrow’s Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League clash at home to Tring Park in Division 1.

Ian Evans will play alongside Francois Vainker and Shamilal Mendis.

“We have not lost a limited overs match when we have had those three in the side,” said Crosby.

“We’re hoping an extra spinner will work well for us.

“Ian was unlucky to miss out last week, but that was to play an extra seamer at Henley, where the conditions were more suited to that.”

Evans comes in for Joe Ewen, while Vishane Perera replaces the unavailable Dan Bowyer and will open the batting.

Banbury, who have title ambitions, are unchanged side for their home game with champions Henley.

Ian Tew is on standby should Craig Haupt (knee) fail a fitness test.

“Henley are always the team to beat,” said Banbury captain Jimmy Phillips.

“We’re in a good position as the only side to win last week.

“This would be a great game for us to win and keep up that momentum.”

England junior women’s seamer Linsey Smith comes into the Aston Rowant side to host Slough.

The 19-year-old left armer replaces Chris Leaney as Rowant seek to get going after last week’s washout against High Wycombe.

“It will be good to get the season under way and begin our push for a top-five spot,” said batsman Chris Watling.

Great & Little Tew looked on the bright side ahead of the Division 2 derby at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Tew were bowled out for 62 in a 78-run defeat under the Duckworth/Lewis Method at home to Chesham.

Shipton, played just ten overs before rain curtailed their match at Falkand.

“We did really well with the ball and in the field,” said Tew captain Andy Harris.

“Batting-wise, it didn’t go quite to plan, but we were able to learn some lessons and I’d rather have played and got five points than not and got six.”

Batsmen Robbie Catling and Matthew Clark replace Ashley Hubbert (unavailable) and Markus Jeacock, who drops to the seconds.

Shipton’s changes see Tim Senior and Graham New-hook in for the unavailable Steve Bates and Ross Barrett.

Captain Simon Hole can’t wait to get the season started.

“The forecast is set fair and we’re really up for it, especially as it’s a derby,” he said.

“It would be nice to get one up on them.”

Former captain Adam Krol and Jehan Mohammed come into the Horspath side for their trip to Falkland.

Shahbaz Ali is at a wedding, while Mohsin Rana drops to the seconds.

“Particularly with better weather forecast, we are looking to go into the game with three spinners,” said captain Will Eason.

“We want to do that for all our limited overs games.”

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

DIVISION 1
Aston Rowant (v Slough, home): Morrick (capt), Watling, J Smith, Cook, Penhale, Hopwood, Harris, Muttitt, Ferraby, L Smith, Morgan.

Banbury (v Henley, home): L Sabin, Harris, Haupt, Hawkes, Cater, West, Ryan, Blanchard, Bartlett, Manley, J Phillips (capt).

Oxford (v Tring Park, home): Clough, Perera, Perkin, Beer, Mendis, Crosby (capt), Hole, Vainker, Sutherland, I Evans, Davies.

DIVISION 2

Shipton-under-Wychwood (v Great & Little Tew, home): Hole (capt), Hunt, Kierby, Senior, Wood, Seacole, Sanklecha, Miller, Cha Brain, Cross, Newhook.

Great & Little Tew (v Shipton-under-Wychwood, away): White, Jor Garrett, Smith, Catling, Clark, Slatter, Brock, Woods, Harris (capt), Shurmer, Bryan.

Horspath (v Falkland, away): W Eason (capt), Cutter, R Eason, Phillips, Conradie, Foster, Skelton, Wynd, Mohammed, Krol, Belcher.

  • Latest Sport news