Schofield makes first start in BAT colours

Former Hampshire medium-pace bowler James Schofield is set to make his ECB Southern Electric Premier League debut for BAT Sports against Liphook & Ripsley at Southern Gardens tomorrow, 11.30am.

Schofield, 25, had intended to play for BAT at the start of the season, but has continued to suffer from the back injury which seriously affected and eventually curtailed his Hampshire career.

"Schoey had a run out for us in the SEC Cup a fortnight ago and is set to play his first all-day game tomorrow," said BAT skipper Richard Dibden.

"He got Matthew Hayden with the first ball he bowled in First Class cricket a couple of seasons ago. Let's hope he can make a similar start for us !"

BAT's final selection will depend upon whether all-rounder Damian Shirazi is required for MCC groundstaff duty at Lord's.

"The YC's may have to be at Lord's to bowl at the England and Pakistan players before Sunday's one-day international, so we're not certain how things stand selection-wise at the moment," Dibden added.

BAT, two points ahead of South Wilts in the leadership race, will expect to beat Liphook, although Dibden acknowledges the toss could be crucial.

"Liphook drew six of their seven `time' games last season and aren't an easy side to bowl out - as Havant found out a few weeks ago," he said.

Havant continue their title defence at fourth-placed Bournemouth - a match which commands BBC Radio Solent's live coverage tomorrow afternoon.

Luke Sears returns to the Havant side which had the edge in last week's draw with BAT, but premier wicket-taker Phil Loat is unable to travel and plays in the 2nd XI against Rowledge.

"Not having Phil aboard is a bit of a blow, but we've got two other quality spinners in Richard Hindley and Matt Cox, so our attack remains well balanced," said Havant captain Paul Gover.

Hampshire Under-19 all-rounder Chris Wright, who joind Havant from Liphook this season, has signed an Academy contract ... with Middlesex.

Bournemouth, with four wins in five matches, have begun the season in a positive manner and are liable to give Havant a run for their money.

Western Australia's Adam Voges is desperate to put a score on the board after bagging two ducks in the past fortnight.

"To be fair, he's not really had the rub of the green, but Adam is liable to explode with a big one very soon," said Bournemouth captain Matt Swarbrick.

David Kidner is out of the Bournemouth line up and replaced by fellow left-armer Matt Mixer.

Second placed South Wilts are forced to shuffle the pack at Bashley, where Hampshire left-armer Jimmy Tomlinson and Tim Lamb notable are absentees.

Adam Smith returns to the seam attack, with Dan Webb taking over the keeper's gloves from Lamb.

John Whiting is back for Bashley, who looked a much stronger outfit with Australian Brad Thompson back in their ranks last week.

Andover have fitness worries over all-rounder Mark Miller ahead of their tough-looking visit to the Rose Bowl.

Miller cricked his neck last night and may miss out playing against the on-song Hampshire Academy players for whom he prepares the Nursery Ground pitches. The Academy have won their last two games, beating Bournemouth and Portsmouth.

Promising KES batsman Alex Richardson returns after a finger injury, while Charlie van der Gucht is added to the side which Giles White will captain.

With both clubs in the bottom three, Calmore's visit to Portsmouth's Southsea seafront ground will have major implications in the relegation zone.

The pair have each won only one game - Portsmouth's solitary success coming against Liphook & Ripsley on the opening day of the season and Calmore's against the Hampshire Academy one week later.

Portsmouth's lean run continued with a seven-wicket defeat by Corsham in the ECB Club Championship last weekend, whereas Calmore need to halt the habit of getting themselves into good positions ... only to toss potential wins away.

"We ought to have beaten both Liphook and last week Bournemouth, but in both games we threw away a terrific advantage," lamented skipper Tom Pegler.