CRICKET: Banbury's weather worry

8:41pm Thursday 4th September 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

Home Counties Premier League

Banbury will be keeping an anxious eye on the weather as they chase their second Division 1 championship at Henley when the league comes to an exciting climax tomorrow.

If Benji Hector's side overcome their Oxfordshire opponents and leaders High Wycombe fail to beat Welwyn Garden City, then Banbury will win their first title since the league's inaugural season in 2000.

"We just want to have a chance on the day," said Banbury vice-captain Jimmy Phillips.

"There's a lot of bad weather about and Henley's ground, being by the river, is more susceptible to waterlogging. Hopefullly, we'll get a game in."

Banbury are boosted by the return of former Engalnd seamer Paul Taylor, the division's leading wicket-taker, who missed last week's victory over Welwyn Garden City due to work commitments with Surrey CCC.

Also returning is opening batsman Damian Shirazi, who replaces Simon Hole.

Hector, himself, has been visiting his native South Africa this week, but will be back for their biggest game of the season.

Banbury have certainly been the form team in the second half of the season, winning five of their last eight games.

"We're full of confidence," said Phillips, who says they will continue their policy of putting their opponents in and hunting down targets.

"We think we have the bowlers to restrict sides even on good tracks," he added. "And we know we are a good chasing side."

Their match at home to Henley earlier in the season, was ruined by the weather with the visitors in complete control.

"We're condifent we can do better than that this time, provided the weather allows us to," added Phillips.

Jason Harrison, skipper of fourth-placed Oxford, is realistic about his side's chances of retaining the title.

Oxford, who entertain Radlett, trail Wycombe 13 by points in fourth spot.

"We've got a slim chance of claiming the trophy," he said. "All we can do is perform to our best on Saturday and see where that takes us.

"Unfortunately we're not in a position where the destiny of the title is in our own hands.

"When I came to Oxford I said I wanted the club to be in the thick of the title race every season. Even if we don't win it, we've achieved that."

In the one change from the side that lost to Wycombe on Saturday, Graham Charlesworth returns to replace the unavailable Joe Porter.

Oxford (v Radlett, home): Cook, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Sharma, Charlesworth, Crosby, St Hole, Hutcheson, Vainker, Brooks, R Evans.

Banbury (v Henley, away): C Smith, Hector (capt), Haupt, Hawkes, Shirazi, Noble, Ryan, Hawtin, Newhook, J Phillips,Taylor.