Skipper Simon Hole believes Shipton-under-Wychwood will have a stronger side this summer after signing the talented Oxford duo Stuart Hole and Jamie Perkin.

The west Oxfordshire club finished third in Division 2 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League last season.

And the recruitment of fast bowler Hole and batsman Perkin, allied to the news that Indian all-rounder Anupam Sanklecha is to return for 2015, should boost Shipton’s chances of promotion.

Hole, 29, who played for Warwickshire in 2006 and 2007, will team up with his elder brother Simon, who said: “Obviously there’s a family connection there.

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“I’ve been trying to persuade Stuart to join Shipton for four or five years, but he was happy at Oxford.

“He wants to play a decent standard of cricket, and with Shipton becoming established in the Home Counties League, he feels the time is now right for a move.”

In recent seasons, Hole’s appearances have been limited by him playing football for North Leigh.

“I’m expecting Stuart to play more than half the games for us,” said his brother.

Perkin, 25, is a talented batsman, who hasn’t recaptured the form of 2011, when playing for Oxfordshire, he topped the whole Minor Counties Championship averages.

However, he was a childhood friend of the Holes.

“Jamie was almost a third Hole brother when we were kids and is a massive signing,” said Simon Hole.

Looking ahead to next season, he added: “On paper it would probably be a slightly stronger side.”

Perkin is looking forward to the new challenge, while at the same time announcing he would not be making himself available for Oxfordshire this season.

He said: “I am not playing for Oxfordshire because I just want to enjoy playing my cricket again.

“It is tough having to drop down a league. The drop in standard is quite substantial, but it is time for me to have a new challenge.”

Oxford captain Ian Crosby commented: “They both go with our best wishes and have been good servants to the club.”

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