Oxfordshire batsman Shahbaz Ali makes his first appearance of the season when Banbury visit Henley in the Home Counties Premier League Division 1 tomorrow.

Despite playing regularly for the county last campaign, Shahbaz has so far been confined to Banbury’s second team.

Tomorrow, he comes in for Damian Shirazi, who is unavailable.

“Shahbaz has played a couple of game in the seconds and some Twenty20 matches,” said captain Ian Hawtin.

“We have got good depth, which is why he has had to wait for his chance.

“Unfortunately Ian Tew misses out this after being unavailable last time, which shows our strength.”

Banbury lie second in the table, 18 points behind leaders Welwyn Garden City.

Hawtin added: “We just want to keep performing. Henley are a good side, so it will be another test.”

Stefan van Dyk and Nick Ferraby return to Oxford’s side at home to Harpenden.

Dan King and Richard Gilbert drop out, while Ian Evans is added as an extra spin option.

Third-placed Oxford lost ground in the title race after being unable to chase down victory against Potters Bar last week.

Captain Jason Harrison said: “We played pretty well throughout the whole day.

“We batted brilliantly to get into a situation where we could have won the game, but we just couldn’t close it out.

“That is something we have been good at in the last few years.”

Aston Rowant recall all-rounders Dom Whatman and Chris Eaton for their trip to Radlett.

Leigh Lewis and Simon Lambourne drop out from the side that lost narrowly at home to Welwyn.

Rowant chairman Gary Condon said: “I think we gave the top team in the league a complete and utter fright.”

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS.

Banbury (v Henley, away): Shahbaz Ali, E Phillips, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Sabin, Ryan, Hawtin (capt), Blanchard, Guthridge, J Phillips.

Oxford (v Harpenden, home): from Sandbach, Van Dyk, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Ferraby, Perkin, Crosby, Hole, J Evans, Mendis, P Evans, I Evans.

Aston Rowant (v Radlett, away):Todd, Morgan, Jewell, Watling, Morrick, Lyon, Whatman, Eaton, Needham, Penhale, Humphreys.

Thame Town (v Harefield, away): Lachlan (capt), Beard, P Patel, Dalmania, Jeacock, Bhatti, Higgs, S Patel, Rooney, Parmar, Dack.