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Oxford's New Zealander Raj Sharma faces Reading tomorrow after starring on his debut

Thame Town's overseas player Jaydeep Bhatti will make his belated debut when they visit Gerrards Cross in Division 2 West of the Home Counties Premier League tomorrow.

The Indian left-arm spinner's arrival was delayed last week, but he is now determined to make up for lost time.

Bhatti replaces Richard Carr, while wicket-keeper Chris Mitty comes in for Chris Williams.

Captain Rob Brooks kept wicket before lunch in their draw with Thatcham, then took 6-32 and made a crucial 43 not out.

He said: "They were calling me Mr Cricket.

"I think we would have bowled them out for 140 if we had had the pro (Bhatti) playing."

Brooks added: "We've got to make the most of opportunities like this when we can get a strong side out."

Kidlington have added spinner Faisal Chaudry to their squad for their home clash with Finchampstead.

Having lost their opening game at Wokingham, a win tomorrow will be vital to re-ignite their title hopes.

Captain Shahbaz Ali said: "It was a bit of a shame last week.

"We thought we had it won before we actually did. Some of us didn't really take responsibility as we had 62 overs to to get past 194.

"But I would rather lose the first game than win two or three and then lose.

"We've got to concentrate more. Losing that game has given us a kick up the backside."

Promising spinner Francois Vainker comes into the Oxford squad for their Division 1 trip to Reading.

Oxford go into the game high on confidence after an excellent victory over Slough last week.

"I think we were strong even before a ball had been bowled," said captain Jason Harrison.

"We've got the squad to retain the title, but so have a couple of teams.

"In these early games it is about building momentum for that vital last third of the season.

"Nothing will be won or lost yet."

Banbury captain Benji Hector urged his players to build on the positives ahead of their home game with Falkland.

Their opening outing saw Banbury finish well adrift of Tring Park, who had the better of a draw.

Hector, who made 94, said: "We were in two really good positions last week and didn't manage to round it off.

"There were definitely some positives to take out of the game and we'll look to take those forward.

"It was nice to start off with some runs, but I would have liked to have got the boys home."

Banbury (v Tring Park, away): from Hector (capt), Noble, Haupt, Hole, Rorich, Beck, Hawtin, Taylor, E Smith, Newhook, Phillips, Ryan

Oxford (v Slough, home): from Charlesworth, Harrison (capt), Laudat, Sharma, Porter, Crosby, Jobson, Hutcheson, P Evans, Brooks, R Evans, Vainker

Kidlington (v Wokingham, away): Taylor, Oliver, Buckingham, Shazad Rana, Shahbaz Ali (capt), Stenholdt, Nawaz Ali, Jamil Faruk, Liyanarachchi, Mehaban, Pearson, Chaudry.

Thame Town (v Thatcham Town, home): Lachlan, Parmar, Krol, Brooks (capt), L Merry, Bhatti, Beard, Meredith, Hogan, Mitty, Higgs.

4:37pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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