Banbury's hopes of another top-two finish in Division 1 suffered a big blow this week with the shock news that Shahbaz Ali was joining Oxford.

He becomes the third talented all-rounder to leave the 2000 champions since last season, following the departures of Neal Radford and David Taylor.

Shahbaz Ali, who had already been picked for Banbury's opening game at home to reigning champions Finchampstead tomorrow, contacted the club on Wednesday night, saying he was leaving.

Oxford skipper Rupert Evans said that Shahbaz approached him on Monday, when he was playing for Oxfordshire against his club.

Evans said: "He spoke to me, saying he wanted to join us. Because of registration rules, he can't play for us this week, but we are expecting him to join us."

The departure of three seam-bowling all-rounders will increase the onus on Banbury's Paul Taylor, the former England and Northants seamer, who succeeds Radford as the club's professional.

Otherwise, Craig Haupt, who succeeds Neil Megson as captain, has a talented but inexperienced side at his disposal.