rThe potential match-up between an emerging South African batsman and an experienced Zimbabwean provincial cricketer could hold the key to the outcome of the Southern Premier Division 2 leadership showdown between Andover at Hambledon at London Road, 12.30.
Matt De Villiers, with five centuries among his 1,046 run tally, is the leading Southern Premier League batsman and is the prime reason why historic Hambledon have won 12 of their 13 matches this season.
Rest assured John Nyumbu, the former Zimbabwe international off-spin bowler who captains Andover, will bring himself into the Lions attack directly De Villiers arrives at the crease.
He has taken 27 wickets with an economy rate of 3.32 and if he nails the Cape Town run gun relatively cheaply, Andover could go a long way to closing the 16-point gap between the lead pair.
Hambledon are without established opening pair Dan McGovern and Chris Pratt, but skipper Spencer Leclercq has returned from Hong Kong after a three-week absence.
Babu Vettil (26 wickets) sits immediately behind his captain in the SPL2 bowling averages, while Hampshire Pathways prospect Sam Ashman and Charlie Ayers have each made 515 runs.
Andover: Nyumbu, Adams, Ayers, Taylor, Veettil, Hooper, Knight, Ashman, Williams, Treagus, Birks.
Hambledon: Spencer Leclercq, George Marshall, Matt de Villers, Henry Glanfield, Jonty Oliver, Ed Moger, Joel Eastment, Mark Butcher, Ben Reilly, George Harding, Shahryar Khan.
Third placed OTs & Romsey, roundly thrashed by Bashley (Rydal) seconds last week, look to have an away banker at relegation favourites Fawley, but Charlie King will demand a much improved batting performance.
Waterlooville are weakened by several absentees against revitalized Bashley (Rydal) II, who look to build on the 14-point gap between themselves and Hook & Newnham Basics II, in second from bottom position.
Waterlooville: Archie Reynolds, Broadhurst, McCoy, Birch, Jackson, McGregor, Shephard, Hudson, Jackson, Osama Shah, Andy Reynolds.
Hook have Liam Shore back for the visit to St Cross Symondians II, while the other SPL2 match sees Fair Oak travel to Hartley Wintney, where a few runs will probably be scored.
Hook & Newnham Basics II: T May, Light, Robson, Corbett, Allnutt, Doran, Hewetson-Brown, Moore, Gardner, O May, Shore,
With Portsmouth & Southsea way ahead in the yellow jersey and almost guaranteed promotion, all eyes are on the potent runners-up spot in Division 3.
Langley Manor are second right now with 226 points, a tally they’ll expect to enhance when they go to winless Purbrook, so they will be keeping check on the Sway-South Wilts duel in the New Forest.
Sway have hit a lean run and still have key absentees tomorrow, but South Wilts have won five in a row and have 30-wicket skipper Rob Pittman back at the helm at Station Road. Newly wed Tim Noble, Dave Steadman and Jon Waller are all missing.
Sway: Will Millard, Will Crossley, Greg Jones, Alex Hall, Hugh Bernard, Tom Burton, Jon Grasham, Rich Thomas, Tobi Ramwell, Sam Nailor, Steve How.
Gosport don’t top too many league tables but it was officially the hottest place in the UK at lunchtime today – 31.2cel – something Havant’s improving second side will bit to cool at Privett Park.
Whoever loses the Trojans-Basingstoke & North Hants II match at Stoneham Lane will be favourites to join Purbook through the relegation trap door. Two points separate them in eighth and ninth places, respectively.
Matt De Villiers, with five centuries among his 1,046 run tally, is the leading Southern Premier League batsman and is the prime reason why historic Hambledon have won 12 of their 13 matches this season.
Rest assured John Nyumbu, the former Zimbabwe international off-spin bowler who captains Andover, will bring himself into the Lions attack directly De Villiers arrives at the crease.
He has taken 27 wickets with an economy rate of 3.32 and if he nails the Cape Town run gun relatively cheaply, Andover could go a long way to closing the 16-point gap between the lead pair.
Hambledon are without established opening pair Dan McGovern and Chris Pratt, but skipper Spencer Leclercq has returned from Hong Kong after a three-week absence.
Babu Vettil (26 wickets) sits immediately behind his captain in the SPL2 bowling averages, while Hampshire Pathways prospect Sam Ashman and Charlie Ayers have each made 515 runs.
Andover: Nyumbu, Adams, Ayers, Taylor, Veettil, Hooper, Knight, Ashman, Williams, Treagus, Birks.
Hambledon: Spencer Leclercq, George Marshall, Matt de Villers, Henry Glanfield, Jonty Oliver, Ed Moger, Joel Eastment, Mark Butcher, Ben Reilly, George Harding, Shahryar Khan.
Third placed OTs & Romsey, roundly thrashed by Bashley (Rydal) seconds last week, look to have an away banker at relegation favourites Fawley, but Charlie King will demand a much improved batting performance.
Waterlooville are weakened by several absentees against revitalized Bashley (Rydal) II, who look to build on the 14-point gap between themselves and Hook & Newnham Basics II, in second from bottom position.
Waterlooville: Archie Reynolds, Broadhurst, McCoy, Birch, Jackson, McGregor, Shephard, Hudson, Jackson, Osama Shah, Andy Reynolds.
Hook have Liam Shore back for the visit to St Cross Symondians II, while the other SPL2 match sees Fair Oak travel to Hartley Wintney, where a few runs will probably be scored.
Hook & Newnham Basics II: T May, Light, Robson, Corbett, Allnutt, Doran, Hewetson-Brown, Moore, Gardner, O May, Shore,
With Portsmouth & Southsea way ahead in the yellow jersey and almost guaranteed promotion, all eyes are on the potent runners-up spot in Division 3.
Langley Manor are second right now with 226 points, a tally they’ll expect to enhance when they go to winless Purbrook, so they will be keeping check on the Sway-South Wilts duel in the New Forest.
Sway have hit a lean run and still have key absentees tomorrow, but South Wilts have won five in a row and have 30-wicket skipper Rob Pittman back at the helm at Station Road. Newly wed Tim Noble, Dave Steadman and Jon Waller are all missing.
Sway: Will Millard, Will Crossley, Greg Jones, Alex Hall, Hugh Bernard, Tom Burton, Jon Grasham, Rich Thomas, Tobi Ramwell, Sam Nailor, Steve How.
Gosport don’t top too many league tables but it was officially the hottest place in the UK at lunchtime today – 31.2cel – something Havant’s improving second side will bit to cool at Privett Park.
Whoever loses the Trojans-Basingstoke & North Hants II match at Stoneham Lane will be favourites to join Purbook through the relegation trap door. Two points separate them in eighth and ninth places, respectively.
