CRICKET: Sabin's still a key man

Division 1

Banbury captain Ian Hawtin says opening batsman Andrew Sabin is a key player despite dropping him for tomorrow’s home clash with Potters Bar.

Oxfordshire’s new recuit Damian Shirazi replaces the experienced Sabin, who made an impressive 91 against High Wycombe two weeks ago.

Hawtin said: “Andrew has done really well. I don’t think that will be the last time he plays for us this season.

“He adds stability to the team, which has been great.”

Potters Bar provide Banbury with new opponents, having won Division 2 East last year.

Hawtin said he did at least know about one of their players – ex-Essex slow left-armer Tim Phillips.

Phillips played with Oxfordshire’s Charlie Knightley at Saffron Walden and Hawtin has got some advice from his county teammate.

Hawtin added: “Last week’s victory over Radlett was very pleasing. We bowled and fielded particularly well.

“Ant Bullick has settled in well. He adds something to our attack and with the bat as well.”

Oxford skipper Jason Harrison has named a 13-man squad for the visit of Tring Park.

Seamer Richard Gilbert comes in for batsman Ian Crosby, with Joe Porter and Raj Sharma returning – although the latter has had a groin problem.

Harrison said: “We have lacked another opening bowler, so Gilbert comes into contention.

“Porter adds a lot of knowledge to the squad.”

Harrison finished on 99 not out in last week’s draw with Farnham Royal, which was the fifth time he had ended an innings on that score.

“We played a lot of good cricket on a very poor surface,” said Harrison.

“We had them on the rack, but they dug in at the end.”

As for his innnings, he added: “These things happen.

“My role is to make sure we create a winning side.”

Banbury (v Potters Bar, home): Hawtin (capt), Hole, Haupt, Tew, Shahbaz Ali, Ryan, Shirazi, Bullick, E Smith, Faruq, J Phillips.

Oxford (v Tring Park, home): from Sandbach, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Ferraby, Charlesworth, Sharma, Porter, Hole, Smith, Hutcheson, Vainker, R Evans, Gilbert.