Kidlington are looking to South African all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt to turn their disastrous season in the Home Counties Premier Leaguearound, The 25-year-old, who has played for Cape Cobras in his home country and is contracted to Hampshire, makes his Division 2 West debut on Saturday in a bottom versus top clash at home to Farnham Royal.

Primarily a seam bowler, Kleinveldt boasts career-best figures of 8-47 for the Cobras and also has a first-class century to his name.

He has had noted success as a big-hitting batsman in Twenty20 cricket, with a scoring rate of 165 runs per 100 balls.

Kidlington skipper Shahbaz Ali revealed that they had acquired Kleinveldt following a suggestion from Slough captain Bobby Sher.

"We hope he will make a big difference," said Shahbaz.

"We feel that we have the talent in the club, that if we could get one win under our belts, that could lead to a run of them."

Kidlington are further boosted by Tim Dredge, a cricketer from the Staffordshire League, who has moved into the Oxford area for three months.

Dredge, also a seamer, will make his debut alongside Kleinveldt.

Kidlington are without the unavailable Noel Pearson, while Andy Oliver drops down to the second team.

By contrast, Thame Town have surprised themselves by their success this season, which included a narrow win over high-riding Wokingham on Saturday.

For the match at home to Finchampstead, Thame will be without talented keeper Chris Mitty, who has a badly bruised finger.

Skipper Rob Brooks takes over the gloves, while Chris Wynd, and Sam Lachlan come into the side, with Adam McBrien dropping down.

A feature of second-placed Oxford's successful season has been the lack of changes from week to week.

However, they depart from that successful formula by making three changes - two of them enforced - for the Division 1 visit to Radlett.

With Joe Porter and Adam Cook absent, Oxford skipper Jason Harrison brings in Pat Jobson and Shami Mendis, who has now recovered from a broken finger.

The one selectorial decision sees Jonno Evans, who has shown good form since coming back from university, replacing Todd Hutcheson as the batsman-wicketkeeper.

"We feel Jonno deserves a place in the side," said Harrison who respects Radlett as a strong side.

"In Gareth Berg and Shane Burger they have two talented players, and so we expect a tough game over there," said Harrison.

The skipper has come to terms with last week's match against his old club High Wycombe, whose last pair hung on for seven oversd to snatch draw.

Banbury will be without talented opener Chris Smith for their match at home to Henley, who are very much fighting against relegation.

Smith is unavailable, so Banbury have added batsman Steve Beck and all-rounder Ollie Murrey to their squad of 12, which they will pare down before the game.

SATURDAY LINE-UPS.

Oxford (v Radlett, away): Jobson, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Sharma, Mendis, Crosby, Charlesworth, J Evans, P Evans, Vainker, Brooks.

Banbury (v Henley, home): from Hole, Haupt, Hector (capt), Noble, E Phillips, Ryan, Hawtin, Taylor, Beck, Murrey, Newhook, J Phillips.

Thame Town (v Finchampstead, home): Parmar, Beard, Krol, Bhatti, Brooks (capt), L Merry, C Wynd, Meredith, Higgs, S Merry, Lachlan Kidlington (v Farnham Royal home,): Shahbaz Ali (capt), Taylor, Buckingham, Nawaz Ali, Shazad Rana, Kitson, Kleinveldt, Dredge, Jamil Faruq, Bimalka, Faisal Chaudry.