Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

Jack Brooks returns to Oxford’s ranks on Saturday as they host High Wycombe in Division 1.

The Northants-contracted seamer, who turned 25 yesterday, has yet to make a first-team appearance for the county.

But Oxford captain Jason Harrison is delighted to be able to call on his services.

“Jack comes in for Richard Gilbert,” said Harrison.

“Richard is unlucky to miss out, but with Jack available, it is a great opportunity to get him in.”

Veteran spinner Rupert Evans also returns to Oxford’s 12-man squad in which spirit is high after last week’s eight-wicket thrashing of Henley.

Harrison added: “We’ve played pretty well all year. We just got the result on Saturday.

“I don’t think we played any different in that match.

“We are feeling pretty good as a group.

“Wycombe will be a strong team and they know how to win.

“We have had some great tussles over the years and everybody is looking forward to this one.”

Opening batsman Andrew Sabin and seamer Jamil Faruq return for Banbury’s top-of-the-table clash at home to Henley, with Damian Shirazi and Simon Hole both unavailable.

Banbury went top last week after previous leaders Henley were well beaten by Oxford.

“It is very pleasing, but we are not getting too carried away,” said skipper Ian Hawtin.

“It is nice to get off to a good start and to be playing some good cricket.

“We are quite aware there is a long way to go.”

All-rounder Lee Lewis replaces bowler Ryan Dutton as Aston Rowant’s only change for their Division 2 West trip to Finchampstead.

Skipper Wes Morrick hopes his side have turned a corner after thrashing leaders Gerrards Cross by ten wickets last week.

Aussie Tim Miles’s 121 not out was Rowant’s highest score in the Home Counties Premier League “We were just waiting for things to click,” said Morrick.

“Hopefully we’ll be confident to move on. We were really delighted with the performance.”

Thame Town are unchanged for the visit of Reading as captain Rob Brooks is away with work commitments.

After collapsing to a sorry defeat against Beaconsfield, Brooks is hoping for much better.

“Last week’s message was that we got the wicket wrong,” said Brooks.

“They played some rash shots and need to start thinking again.”

Banbury (v Henley, home): C Smith, A Sabin, Haupt, Tew, Shahbaz Ali, Hawtin (capt), Ryan, Bullick, E Smith, Jamil Faruq, J Phillips.

Oxford (v High Wycombe, home): from Sandbach, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Ferraby, Charlesworth, Crosby, Smith, Hole, Hutcheson, Brooks, Vainker, R Evans.

Aston Rowant (v Finchampstead, away): Morgan, Miles, Jewell, Watling, Eaton, Needham, Morrick (capt), Whatman, Penhale, Humphreys, Lewis.

Thame Town (v Reading, home): Beard, Parmar, P Patel, Higgs, L Merry, Bhatti, Giles, Lachlan (capt), S Patel, Hogan, Murray.