IAN Crosby believes his side will benefit from a change to timed matches as Oxford look to pick up their first win of the season tomorrow.

Oxford travel to third-placed Banbury in Division 1 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

The match format changes from 50/50 to timed games for the next nine weeks.

A match must finish before 7pm or after 120 overs – 64 of which are faced by the team batting first.

Bowlers also profit from unlimited overs.

Crosby said: “Our spinners are our key bowlers.

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“They can now bowl 20 plus overs.

“Our openers are quite traditional and having 64 overs to bat makes a difference.

“For us the season starts on Saturday.”

Crosby also praised opener Ryan Carters, who made 38 on his debut last weekend.

“He looked a top player and exactly the sort of quality we thought he would be,” said Crosby.

Oxford will select from a squad of 13 with John Barrett and Andrew Clough available.

Banbury are unchanged from Saturday’s seven-wicket win at Burnham.

Tim Paine hit a half-century for the second time this season and captain Luke Ryan hailed the former Australian Test wicket-keeper.

Ryan said: “If he had to play for Australia he would not look out of place.

“He is a great guy to have in the dressing room.”

Horspath hand a first team competitive debut to left-arm seamer Tom King for the visit of High Wycombe.

King replaces Pat Foster (unavailable), while opener Harrison Ward is in for Jamil Faruq (groin).

After last week’s win over Oxford, Will Eason’s men are looking for a third successive victory.

He said: “We’re not expected to win the game.

“We can just go out and enjoy it.

“Everyone is in it together.”

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Oxford (v Banbury, away): from Carters, Perrera, Laudat, Bates, Thornton, Crosby (capt), Mendis, Sutherland, Simon, Rooney, Eltham, Barrett, Clough.

Banbury (v Oxford, home): Darby, Paine, Sabin, West, Briggs, Ryan (capt), Tew, Blanchard, Penhale, Wright, Phillips.

Horspath (v High Wycombe, home): Price, R Eason, Phillips, Mould, Ali, Davies, Green, W Eason (capt), Belcher, Ward, King.