Luke Ryan believes his Banbury side are well suited to the shorter format as they prepare to host this Sunday’s Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League T20 finals day, writes JACK JOHNSON.

Banbury face Reading in the semi-finals at Ermont Way at 11am, while Gerrards Cross take on Slough at White Post Road, which will be the venue for the final from 3.15pm.

The winners will earn a place in the South East Area semi-finals of the NatWest Club T20 competition against the Essex Premier League winners.

Ryan’s side know what it is like to go all the way to the national finals after losing in a bowl-out against Wimbledon at the Oval in 2013.

He said: “The boys got a taste of that and it is always in the back of our mind.

“But this is a stepping stone and a format the players really enjoy.

“It is something the boys are looking forward to and we are quite strong with our varied attack and hard-hitting batsman – it favours our squad.”

Ryan’s side are riding high in Division 1 and have not lost since May 30 – a run that includes an eight-wicket win over Reading in the timed format, where Banbury skittled Sunday’s opponents for just 40.

However, Ryan is expecting a tougher test this weekend.

“It is a different format and another day,” he said.

“Cricket is a funny game and we try not to look too much into history and stay in the moment.”

Former Australian Test wicket-keeper/batsman Tim Paine as an overseas player is ineligible.

Tom Bradbeer and Liam Manley come into a squad of 12.

Banbury: from Ryan (capt), E Phillips, Sabin, West, Briggs, Darby, Blanchard, Penhale, Wright, J Phillips, Bradbeer, Manley.