Oxford captain Jason Harrison said they are ahead of schedule as they prepare for tomorrow’s visit of Tring Park in Division 1 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

Harrison’s side lie second in the table, 33 points behind runaway leaders Welwyn Garden City, despite last week’s draw at basement boys Aston Rowant.

“We are still well-placed and ahead of schedule in terms of where we want to be,” said Harrrison, who expected this to be a transitional season for the club.

“We were in a great position to win last week. Nine out of ten times, I would see us doing it.

“It was down to us that we didn’t complete the win.”

Chris Sandbach and Stefan van Dyk return in place of Nick Ferraby (unavailable) and Dan King who misses out.

Oxford can only field only two ‘category 3E’ players and have gone for van Dyk and Shami Mendis.

“We wanted to go with an all-rouder option, so Van Dyk comes in.

“It is very unfortunate on Dan because he merits a place.”

Ian Tew replaces Shahbaz Ali as Banbury visit Potters Bar

Having lost their last two matches, Banbury need to regroup or see their title challenge fade.

Captain Ian Hawtin said: “We have got to get back on track with the bat in particular, which has been our downfall in the last couple of weeks.

“We need to be confident and go for a win.”

Aston Rowant head to High Wycombe for a basement battle.

Having pushed the top two hard in recent weeks, they will be hopeful of recording their first victory and climbing off teh bottom.

Captain Sam Lachlan is unavailable for Thame Town’s trip to Gerrards Cross in Division 2 West.

Ed Barnett comes in, while Michael Higgs will skipper the side, while as Thame look to build on their 24-point lead .

Higgs said: “It is an encouraging start and relieves us of the pressure of trying to stay up.

“We have the chance to enjoy the second half of the season.

“Gerrards Cross have won three out of their last four matches, so we are expecting quite a tough test.”

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS.

Aston Rowant (v High Wycombe, away): from Todd, Morgan, Jewell, Morrick, Watling, Needham, Plumridge, Lewis, Penhale, Humphreys, Davis, Eaton, Whatman Oxford (v Tring Park, home): Van Dyk, Sandbach, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Perkin, Crosby, Hole, J Evans, Mendis, I Evans, P Evans.

Banbury (v Potters Bar, away): Sabin, E Phillips, Haupt, Hawkes, West, Tew, Hawin (capt), Ryan, Blanchard, J Phillips, Gutheridge.

Thame Town (v Gerrards Cross, away): Beard, P Patel, Bhatti, Jeffcock, S Patel, N Patel, Higgs (capt), Parmar, Barnett, Whitehead, Rooney.