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SPCL 1 - A Burridge test of character for BAT
Mike Vimpany - 17 May 2002
BAT Sports face a test of character as they bid to reboot their ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership challenge against Burridge at Botley Road, 1pm.
Last season's champions suffered their first defeat in 12 attempts, losing by 12 runs to Havant last week.
"Now we must pick up the pieces and start again," says BAT skipper Dave Banks. Havant, whose two wins from two games start is shared by Andover, face off-colour Bashley (Rydal), who have lost both of their openers.
Andover have an intriguing visit to Liphook & Ripsley, who beat Bashley last weekend.
"We didn't play anywhere near our potential against Havant and there's a lot of room for improvement, particularly in the bowling department," Banks stressed. "The extras we conceded against Havant had a major effect on the outcome."
BAT are expected to take an unchanged side to Burridge, where they won by ten wickets late last season.
Burridge, who have won their only game so far against Portsmouth, have a major doubt over opener Paul Hawkins, who may be operating his revolutionary 'Hawkie' cricket ball tracking system at the Lord's Test.
Andover have made a flying start by beating South Wilts and Calmore Sports. But new skipper Roger Miller will be cautious at Liphook, particularly after their East Hampshire side hosts won at Bashley last week.
"That was a fair win," said Miller. "But it's how we play that counts - and we've played pretty well so far."
Havant are forced to make a number of changes for Bashley's visit. MCC Young Professional Stephen Snell is on covers duty at the Sri Lanka Test match, so skipper Dominic Carson dons the gloves.
Richard Lewis comes in to boost the pace attack, which is weakened by the absence of Mackie Hobson and Bevis Moynhan, both all-rounders.
Bashey, still shell shocked after two straight defeats, prefer Ross Grierson's spin to the medium-pace of hamstring-troubled John Whiting.
The Foresters need a big innings from Western Australian prodigy Luke Ronchi if they are to dent Havant's bright start.
It will be an emotional day for former Calmore Sports all-rounder Paul Draper, who returns to play for his new club South Wilts at Loperwood Park.
"Drapes is sure of a good reception. He did a magnificent amount of good work here," said in-form Calmore all-rounder James Hibberd.
"But he won't be getting one run off the mark - and I, for one, am aiming to bowl him out."
Draper spent his entire career at Calmore prior to switching to South Wilts, whose captain Russell Rowe is again bang in form, having hit a match-winning century at Bournemouth last week.
Mark Boston returns for Calmore Sports, who are at full strength for the first time this season.
Newly promoted Portsmouth are hit by unavailabity at Bournemouth, where former Hampshire all-rounder Lee Savident and opener Geoff Pike will be two significant absentees.
Raj Maru's side have lost both their opening matches- to Havant and Burridge - and will do well to win at Chapel Gate, even though Richard Scott is absent from the Bournemouth team. Alex Allum comes in.
© Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | David Banks, Roger Miller, Stephen Snell, Mackie Hobson, Luke Ronchi, Paul Draper, James Hibberd, Russell Rowe, Lee Savident, Rajesh Maru, Richard Scott. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |