HORSPATH have moved quickly to snap up former England bowler Ajmal Shahzad ahead of their derby clash at Oxford.

The 31-year-old, who took 17 wickets in 11 One Day Internationals and played one Test against Bangladesh in 2010, joins the Home Counties Premier League Division 1 club from Sussex.

Horspath’s hand was forced earlier this week with overseas star and batsman Rameez Raja called back to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, tomorrow’s opponents Oxford are facing their own selection problems, with 63-year-old Rupert Evans included in a 12-man squad.

Horspath captain Will Eason is delighted to have Shahzad on board, but his thoughts are with Raja.

He said: “Rameez has had to go back for the short term.

“His mum is in poor health, we’re hoping he will be back in a couple of weeks, but as far as we’re concerned the health of his mother is far more important than a game of cricket.”

Eason added: “Losing Rameez is such a big blow and we wanted to bring in another pro.

“He (Shahzad) is a slightly different player, but I felt it was important we gained someone of real quality after losing one.”

Mark Jefferson is unavailable, while Stephen Green drops to the second XI, so Tom Cosford and Pat Foster come in to the side.

Horspath head into the derby clash in high spirits after last week’s five-wicket win over leaders High Wycombe.

The skipper said: “It was fantastic and I expect us to put on the same standard of performance again.”

Over at Oxford, former county off-spinner Evans, who is now the club’s chairman, could be in line for his first appearance since retiring in 2010.

With captain John Barrett and Andrew Clough unavailable, stand-in skipper Jamie Perkin has added Evans, Arthur Muir and Marc Buckingham.

Oxford head into the match on the back of a seven-run win over Tring Park.

And Perkin is confident Evans, if called upon, can deliver.

He said: “There’s a chance he won’t play, but he’s been in the nets and bowling really well.

“He’s an extremely good cricketer. Granted he’s getting on a bit, but if selected he will do a good job for us.”

Evans added: “I’m ready to bowl, whether I’m ready to run in the field is a different matter.”

Banbury captain Lloyd Sabin is calling for a reaction after last week’s six-wicket defeat at Great & Little Tew.

The north Oxfordshire side host Burnham, with Olly Clarke and Jamie Curtis replacing Richard West and Tom Bartlett.

Sabin said: “I was expecting a performance like last week because we have such a young side.

“It can be accepted if people learn from it and improve.”

Meanwhile, Tew travel to Finchampstead.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Horspath (v Oxford, away): Ward, R Eason, Coleman, Fitzjohn, Faruk, Belcher, W Eason, Slatcher, Shahzad, Cosford, Foster.

Oxford (v Horspath, home): from Tong-Jones, Eltham, Ayub, Perkin, Mendis, Beer, Musk, Fallah, Humphreys, Muir, Buckingham, Evans.

Banbury (v Burnham, home): Haupt, Sabin, Hill, Hawtin, Megson, Wilkins, Cheema, Wright, Taylor, Clarke, Curtis.

MICHAEL Beard believes containing Shipton-under-Wychwood’s overseas star Anupam Sanklecha will be the key to a Thame Town victory tomorrow.

The sides meet at the High Street ground off the back of morale-boosting victories in Division 2 last weekend.

Indian all-rounder Sanklecha has scored 214 runs and taken eight wickets in four games this season.

And Thame captain Beard, whose side beat Great Brickhill by nine wickets six days ago, is hoping to keep the Shipton man quiet.

He said: “Traditionally, we have struggled against them, but we’re a stronger side than last year.

“Their overseas is their key guy, he will be a very important wicket and we will have to play well against him.

“But we go there with every confidence.”

Henry Thomas and Chris Jeffcock replace unavailable duo Richard Straughan and Honey Garg.

Shipton-under-Wychwood head into the match having recorded their first league win of the season.

Sanklecha starred with bat and ball in a 61-run win at Reading and captain Charlie Brain is keen to build upon the victory.

He said: “It was much needed, but we played well.

“We beat Thame twice last year, they’re a team we should be beating. We’ve got a win under our belts, so everything is positive.”

Luke Champion drops down to the second XI and Harry Davies is handed a debut.

Leaders Aston Rowant host second-placed Chesham.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Thame Tn (v Shipton-under-Wychwood, away): C Russell, Sutcliffe, Kanishka, Beard, Mushtaq, A Russell, Rooney, Higgs, Phippen, Thomas, Jeffcock.

Shipton (v Thame Tn, home): Hemming, Brain, C Miller, Hole, Sanklecha, Cross, Lewis, Harris, S Miller, Cockroft, Davies.