HORSPATH have signed up Oxford’s Jasper Davies to solve their wicket-keeping dilemma – and he comes into the side for their Division 1 match at home to Harefield in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League tomorrow.

It comes as a relief to Horspath, who lost regular keeper Andy Wynd in the close season, while his deputy behind the sticks Joey Todd will miss the first half of the summer.

Davies, who played for MCC Oxford Universities and Oxfordshire in 2014, is also a useful batsman.

Horspath skipper Will Eason said: “I think Jasper realised his opportunities with Oxford would be limited after they signed ex-Hampshire keeper Michael Bates.

“With us being short of a keeper, it was really a nobrainer.”

Horspath crashed to 59 to lose by 62 runs in a low-scoring match at Banbury.

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“That is no reflection on the strength of our batting, as it was a poor wicket,” said Eason, who was heartened by their overall performance.

“It shows we can live with the big boys,” he added.

Banbury also make one change as seamer Karl Penhale misses their trip to Tring Park.

Such is their strength in depth that his replacement is left-arm seamer Liam Manley, who played regularly for Oxfordshire last season.

Banbury may have plenty of cover on the playing front, but they have problems with the pitch covers on their exposed ground.

“In the week before the Horspath game, our covers kept on getting blown off by the very strong wind,” explained Banbury skipper Luke Ryan.

“That’s why we had such a poor pitch for the Horspath game.”

Oxford field two newcomers for their trip to High Wycombe.

Seamer Ed Smith has joined from Banbury and replaces Mark Beer who is on holiday.

The other debutant is batsman Barney Moreton,who is studying at Oxford Brookes.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Horspath (v Harefield, home): W Eason (capt), R Eason, Cutter, Ali, Phillips, Davies, Foster, Mould, Price, Belcher, Faruq.

Banbury (v Tring Park, away): Ryan (capt), Darby, Sabin, Paine, West, Tew, Briggs, Blanchard, Manley, Wright, J Phillips.

Oxford (v High Wycombe, away): Crosby (capt), Sutherland, Perera, Laudat, Bates, Moreton, Mendis, Thornton, Eltham, Rooney, Smith.