Plenty of work still to be done

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 1st Jun 2001.

Last weekend was not a good one for Swindon's Western League sides but there are no radical changes this week.

First team opening bowler Ian Richardson played for Gloucestershire 2nd XI against Lancashire this week and also benefited from coaching by county opening bowler Mike Smith. It will be interesting to see how he performs this weekend at Swindon.

Swindon's first team play Old Bristolians Westbury at the County Ground. Will Nichols is unavailable due to his hamstring injury so Chris Rogers is recalled. The batting has been disappointing this year with the tail coming to the rescue in the last two games.

The wet spring has ensured that there are few perfect batting tracks around but batsmen have generally not applied themselves properly. The bowlers also have some work to do and in particular need to keep a better line, helping contain their opponents.

In the equivalent 2nd XI fixture Swindon travel to Bristol. Roger Willoughby is recalled to the side after his superb knock last week for the Saturday 3rds. The batting is further strengthened by the addition of Matthew Jamieson who is playing his first game for the club. Off-spinner Zohaib Mohammed is back after a three-week absence due to work commitments.

In the Wiltshire League the 3rd XI hit a massive score last week and are firmly on track for their third successive promotion. This week they play Blunsdon at King Edwards Place. Mike Hayward is added to the team and his off-spin gives the side more balance.

The 4th XI includes all the six players who won the Border League Under 16 Sixes Trophy at Andover last week. Alan Dickinson is the player to watch with both bat and ball.

1st XI home v OB/Westbury (Home meet 12.30pm, start 1.30pm): K Emery, J Sumner, J Baden, N Baker, N Bellamy, A Cock, L Leach, B Khan, Chris Rogers, I Richardson, S Shuttleworth.

2nd XI v OB/Westbury (Away meet 12.15pm): B Norridge, P Baden, D Baker, M Rafiq, N Couling, D Howe, C Iles, N Jamieson, Z Mohammed, M Rahman, R Willoughby.

3rd XI v Blunsdon (Home meet 1pm): P Laggett, S Barnett, A Biggins, M Gumm, N Hayward, N Horsington, P MacDonald, Colin Rogers, R Quadri, A Reed, R Sawyer .

Saturday 4th XI v United Churches (away meet 1pm): K Thompson, N Barrett, S Cole, A Dickinson, J Parkinson, N Parkinson, D Horbunowicz, A Phipps, A Spencer, M Thomas, A Tribbick.

Sunday 1st XI v Marlborough (Away meet 12.45pm): A Cock, S Cock, J Baden, P Baden, N Bellamy, Z Mohammed, B Khan, M Rafiq, M Rahman, S Shuttleworth, R Willoughby.

Sunday 2nd XI v Marlborough (Home meet 1.15pm): K Thompson, M Barrett, R Barrett, A Biggins, D Hathaway, L New, R New, A Phipps, R Quadri, R Sawyer, P Temple.

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