Bournemouth must win to stay in touch

Leaders BAT Sports can effectively knock third-placed Bournemouth out of immediate ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship contention if they beat the Dorset club at Southern Gardens tomorrow, 11.30am.

They enjoy a 24-point lead over Bournemouth - and 17 over Havant - and know that Matt Swarbrick's side will arrive in Totton in a positive frame of mind and looking for a positive result.

"Losing to Havant a fortnight ago has left us with a fair gap to make up, so we've got to be positive from the first ball," Swarbrick said.

"BAT haven't lost an all-day `time' game for two seasons or more, so we've got our work cut out in that respect, but we got plenty of self belief."

Ironically, it was Bournemouth who halted BAT's 15-match winning sequence in all-day cricket last season.

Both teams change last week's winning formulas, with all-rounder Chris Thomason returning for BAT, who are without Graham Noble and Archie Norris.

Charlie Holcomb replaces Dan Jackson for Bournemouth, who will give a Premier debut to paceman Nick Reeves, if Dave Kidner (side strain) is unfit.

BAT made a Premier record 330-4 at South Wilts last week, with openers Neal Parlane (150) and Damian Shirazi (98) sharing a new record first wicket stand of 249.

Defending champions Havant have skipper Paul Gover back as they entertain Andover, who name an unchanged side after last week's win at Calmore Sports.

Improving Bashley (Rydal) play Calmore Sports twice in less than 24 hours - initially in tonight's (FRI) New Forest President's Cup final at the BCG (6.15), then again in the Premier League at Loperwood Park tomorrow (SAT), 11.30am.

Matt King's side consolidated its mid-table position after back-to-back wins over South Wilts and the Hampshire Academy.

And with the returning Ben Nolan-Stone raring to bowl, Bashley will have plenty of spin and pace options against a Calmore side currently rooted to the bottom.

But King and Kevin Nash, with a combined haul of 44 wickets this term, will take the new ball in probable damp, bowler-friendly conditions.

South Wilts face the Hampshire Academy at Lower Bemerton minus Amsterdam-bound Jason Laney.

Jimmy Adams strengthens the Academy batting which crumbled against Bashley last week and, like Iain Brunnschweiler and Chris Benham, should relish a flat Salisbury surface.

Former Hampshire opener Giles White, who hit an unbeaten 68 at number 11 last week, intends to remain in `Jack' position.

Promising KES batsman Alex Richardson is back for the Academy, who chose from a squad of 12 players.

Portsmouth are without Hampshire U17 batsman/keeper Michael Barnes, who has been struck down with a form of Hepatitis and is unlikely to play again this season.

They visit Liphook & Ripsley in a match that will have an effect on the relegation situation.

Portsmouth, who beat Liphook on the opening day of the season, are hovering on the lip of the danger zone.