Bashley (Rydal) put their new found leadership credentials to the test when they face reigning ECB Southern Electric Premier League champions BAT Sports at Southern Gardens tomorrow, 11.30.
It's an intriguing test of character for Bashley, who removed the champions from their top-table perch last weekend when BAT lost by one wicket at South Wilts.
Bashley's rain-riddled start boasts three wins from four completed matches but that doesn't impress BAT skipper David Banks. "They haven't played anyone yet. Their three wins have come against teams in the bottom four, so let's put things into perspective," he said. "OK, they're top now, but that means nothing."
Bashley, whose solitary defeat was inflicted by Bournemouth three weeks ago, visit Southern Gardens full of confidence after back-to-back wins over Portsmouth and Alton, whose attack was mauled for 289-5 through Neil Thurgood's century.
"The lads are in pretty good nick with the bat, but there's no doubt we'll get a searching examination from Dan Goldstraw and James Hibberd tomorrow," said Bashley skipper Andy Sexton.
Banks forecasts a fast, bouncy Southern Gardens pitch and wants his top-order batsmen to start performing on it.
"Lee Savident and myself are the only batsmen showing any form at all. It's time to stand up and be counted for quite a few of the other lads tomorrow," he added.
"We got out of jail and won at Alton, but it didn't happen at South Wilts, who deserved to beat us."
BAT are boosted by the return of Wiltshire all-rounder Hibberd tomorrow trainee Ferndown Baker drops into the 2nd XI at Gosport while Bashley (Rydal) expect to be unchanged.
Hursley Park, who scored 292-5 at Havant last weekend only to lose by eight wickets, are boosted by the return of in-form Jimmy Taylor and James Kennedy against South Wilts at The Quarters.
Taylor scored back-to-back centuries against Liphook & Ripsley and the Hampshire Academy before going on a brief holiday.
Third-placed South Wilts, confident after ending BAT's unbeaten start, call up 15-year old spinning all-rounder Robert Pittman.
Tom Morton clings on to the wicketkeeping spot, despite the prolific form of Charlie Duffell in Hampshire League cricket.
Hampshire Under-15s leg spinner Wahid Khan is a surprise selection by the Hampshire Academy, who entertain winless Alton on the Rose Bowl Nursery Ground. With Chris Benham rested after being on first team duty against Durham, Second XI wicketkeeper Tom Burrows expects to play his first Hawks match for two seasons.
Alton have come close to beating both Havant and BAT Sports this season, but were mugged at Bashley last weekend and heavily beaten by BAT Sports in this week's Electric Cup quarter-finals.
Lawrie Prittipaul, who missed Portsmouth's win over the Academy last week, is expected back for the trip to Liphook & Ripsley.
Bournemouth have a Cockspur Cup debt to settle when Havant visit Chapel Gate. Darren Cowley's mish-mash side took a 256-run mauling from last season's national semi-finalists last Sunday and comprehensively beaten.
"To be fair, they weren't far off full strength and we had a pretty young side out, so we'll expect to do better tomorrow," Cowley said.
The Bournemouth and Dorset skipper is relishing the prospect of watching young Liam Aslett making a big score against Havant.
"He looks so good and so correct at the crease, but keeps getting into the 20s and 30s and then gives it away," Cowley added.
"Liam's not long out of school but has played enough decent time cricket in Western Australia to learn how to build a substantial innings.
"He needs to really buckle down and concentrate hard. He's certainly got the ability and now's the time for him to show us what he can do."
Craig de Weywarn is expected to return for Bournemouth, while Havant are without experienced threesome Steve Dean, Paul Gover and Richard Pineo.
Sheer weight of runs has got Sam Walker back into the Havant line-up.
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