BAT Sports, who thumped South Wilts by eight wickets in the only game to beat last weekend’s bad weather, aim to close the gap at the top of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League still further tomorrow

Mike Vimpany14-Jun-2002BAT Sports, who thumped South Wilts by eight wickets in the only game to beat last weekend’s bad weather, aim to close the gap at the top of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League still further tomorrow.They host enigmatic Bashley (Rydal) at Southern Gardens, 11am, in what should be the first of a series of eight all-day ‘time’ matches.”We were due to start the all-day cricket last week, but the wet weather meant that we only managed to play 36 overs per side at South Wilts,” explained skipper Dave Banks.”South Wilts did really well to get the game on at all, but for us to pick up 20 points when no one else played was a real bonus.”BAT expect to be unchanged and at full strength, with Hampshire 2nd XI hopeful Damian Shirazi looking to build on the unbeaten 62 he scored at Bemerton last week.But Bashley all-rounder Chris Sketchley twisted his ankle playing beach football last weekend and is ruled out of visitors’ line up.”I think he got a bit carried away with World Cup fever,” said a terse Bashley skipper Neil Taylor, who is also without opening bowler John Whiting.Bashley, skittled for 101 and beaten by ten wickets at Bournemouth a fortnight ago, bring in Dale Middleton and Steve Latimore, who hit a half-century for the 2nd XI at Leckford last week.Leaders Andover give a senior debut to Hampshire Under-16 all-rounder Steve Williams against Portsmouth at St Helen’s.Williams replaces fellow teenager James Manning, who has been called into the Hampshire Academy side against Old Tauntonians & Romsey at the Rose Bowl.Andover skipper Roger Miller has warned his team to ignore Portsmouth’s low standing in the table.”They may be second from bottom of the table, but players like Raj Maru, Matt Keech and Lee Savident have my greatest respect.”All three – plus quite a few others in the Pompey side – are potential match winners, plus the fact that we’ve no idea at all how St Helen’s will play in a 120-over all-day game,” Miller said.Andover lead the field by four points from Havant, who are at full strength for the visit of inconsistent South Wilts to Havant Park.Hampshire’s James Tomlinson returns to spearhead the South Wilts attack and, alongside South African Shaun Adam, provides the Salisbury club with a powerful new ball attack.”They’re as good a pair as there is around,” warned Havant’s Paul Gover.”Two quality left-arm bowlers with a new ball in their hand on a damp surface is not ideal when you are standing with a bat in your hand 22 yards away,” he added.Teenager John Chandler makes way for Tomlinson, with wicketkeeper Jo Cranch dropped in favour of the returning Tom Caines.Burridge are keeping their fingers firmly crossed that their Botley Road ground will dry out in time for the key bottom-of-the-table clash against Liphook & Ripsley.Heavy midweek rain saturated the already soggy outfield, leaving Burridge’s hard working volunteer ground force with more water problems.With both clubs having won only once during the opening six weeks of the season, it’s an extremely impotant game.Burridge, whose only win came at Portsmouth, are again without opener Paul Hawkins, but Neil Cunningham and teenager Jo Dixon are available.Liphook, minus skipper Duncan Berry and opening bowler Tim Wheatley, give a debut to Sussex YCs left-arm paceman Glen Read, who has joined the East Hants club from Horsham.Read is hoping that, if he’s successful in the Premier League, he may catch the eye of the Hampshire selectors.Calmore Sports travel to third-placed Bournemouth, who are without former Hampshire left-hander Richard Scott and Geoff Warrington.