ASTON Rowant are planning to give a Home Counties Premier League debut to 14-year-old James Coles in their tough Division 1 match away to Henley.

The Magdalen College School pupil – a batsman who also bowls left-arm spin – has long been regarded as one of Oxfordshire’s most promising young players and will feature for Sussex Academy this summer.

Rowant captain Josh Smith said: “James deserves his chance, but it just a matter of getting his registration sorted out with the league.”

If he gets the all-clear, Coles will come in for Sasha Barras, who is unavailable, for the trip to Henley.

Rowant top the table, despite being denied a probable victory over Finchampstead, last week by the weather.

Oxford skipper Jamie Perkin praised Muhammad Ayub, who made a brilliant century in last week's rain-affected match.

Ayub, who played one Test for Pakistan in 2012, scored 100 not out as the visitors rattled up 254-5 in the derby. Horspath were 50-0 when the game was abandoned.

“I thought Ayub showed his class, especially after he had taken a first-baller in our first game,” said Perkin who shared a third-wicket stand of 145 with him.

Perkin will be hoping more of the same from Ayub for the trip to Finchampstead.

The only Oxford change sees Freddie Simon come in for John Barrett.

Horspath make two changes at home to Tring Park, with James Phillips and Jamil Faruq replacing James Fitzjohn and Elliott Miles.

Having survived a horrendous start against Henley last week, Thame Town go into their match away to another leading side High Wycombe, with renewed confidence.

Thame slumped to 10-5 and then 39-6 against Henley before recovering to 160 all out thanks to an unbeaten 74 from skipper Michael Beard. The hosts were 8-1 before the match was abandoned.

“When we looked at the fixture list, we knew had a tough start to the season,” said Beard.

“So it was nice to get that first win against Finchampstead and then survive against Henley, from a tricky position.

“We know we’ve got enough match-winners to cause any side problems.”

The only change sees unavailable spinner Mike Higgs replaced by Jamie Klapper.

Banbury, who lost to High Wycombe on the DLS system last week, will be looking to make amends at Slough.

After two defeats, Shipton-under-Wychwood are banking on experience to kick-start their season in Division 2.

Ian Harris and Paul Hemming, who are both in their 50s, have been drafted into their team for tomorrow’s match at home to Wokingham.

The duo get their call-ups as three first-choice batsman are unable to play.

Craig Wood and Tim Senior – top-scorer in their 140-run defeat by Chesham last week – are unavailable, while Charlie Brain is out with a broken thumb.

Dee Jarvis is recalled to the side, while Adeel Rehman replaces Jason Hunt.

“It’s been a tough start, but all the players now need to step up,” said captain Anupam Sanklecha.

Meanwhile, Great & Little Tew make one enforced change for their match at home to Amersham.

All-rounder Tom Price is unavailable and is replaced by specialist batsman Tom Young.

After an opening victory, Tew’s game at Harefield was an early casualty of last Saturday’s downpour.

“We’ve made an encouraging start, but we’ve only played one full game – so it’s early days,” said skipper Harry Smith.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Oxford (v Finchampstead, away): Tong-Jones, Eltham, Perkin, Ayub, Mendis, Kilpatrick, Simon, Murphy, Keat, Humphreys, Nutt.

Thame Tn (v High Wycombe, away): Sutcliffe, Kanishka, Beard, Straughan, Adams, Mushtaq, Klapper, Russell, Khan, Jeffcock, Bell.

Aston Rowant (v Henley, away): Reid, Condon, Watling, Smith, Moriarty, Pendered, Morrick, Bethell, Coles, Whatman,

Harris.

Horspath (v Tring Park, home): Coleman, R Eason, Phillips, Brown, Cosford, W Eason, Skelton, Belcher, Manley, Green, Miles.

Shipton-under-Wychwood (v Wokingham, home): I Harris, C Miller, Norgrove, Sanklecha, Cross, P Hemming, Jarvis, Lewis, Rehman, S Harris, S Miller.

Great & Little Tew (v Amersham, home): Smith, White, Woodward, Slatter, Lloyd Brock, Shurmer, Thomas, Young, Lawrence Brock, Catling, Bryan.