12:00pm Friday 30th July 2010
By Kieren Bushnell
Stand-in captain Steve Bates is confident Shipton-under-Wychwood have what it takes as they put their 15-year unbeaten home record in the competition on the line against Cornish champions Troon in the npower Village Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
Troon, three-time winners of the competition in the 1970s, are sure to provide dual champions Shipton with their toughest test so far.
But Bates, who leads the side in the absence of the holidaying Paul Hemming, believes that their strength in depth will see them progress.
He said: “I would think this is definitely going to be our toughest test.
“Troon have won it three times and have a very good reputation in the cup, but then again, so do we.
“We’ve performed really well this season and have been batting superbly, racking up some huge scores.
“Andy (Hemming) has been particularly impressive, but someone has always managed to get a score.”
Bates said Shipton’s powerhouse batting has been key to their success.
“When you’re the opposition and chasing 250-260, you either have to bat really well, or we have to bowl badly,” he added.
“We’ve blown sides away with our batting so far, and hopefully we can continue that on Sunday.”
As well as being without Paul Hemming, Shipton will also miss Tim Senior (holiday) and Craig Lambert, who is at a family wedding.
Brothers Ross and Joe Barrett and seamer Jon Hartley come into the side.
Bates said: “We have some good young lads and a good spirit in the team. I’m sure our strength in depth will see us through.
“We are all hungry for success. We’ve had a bit of a break from doing well in the competition, and we are desperate to get back to Lord’s again.
“Our home record in the competition is exceptional.
“We haven’t lost for 15 years, but we just need to make sure that there is no complacency.”
Shipton-under-Wychwood: A Hemming, C Brain, Bates (capt), Hunt, Hartley, King, Panter, Jennings, Miller, R Barrett, J Barrett, Prior-Wandesforde.
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