CHARLIE Brain is calling on Calvin Dickinson to maintain his fine recent form when Shipton-under-Wychwood travel to local rivals Thame Town in Division 2 tomorrow.

The wicket-keeper, who also plays for Oxford MCCU, scored 82 off 98 balls in last weekend’s draw with Buckingham Town in the Home Counties Premier League, following three successive half-centuries.

Durban-born Dickinson, 19, is averaging 46.71 from eight innings and Brain hopes the teenager can continue to contribute with the bat against third-bottom Thame, who are one place below Shipton.

He said: “Calvin has had a good month.

“He is flying and he has got to keep cashing in when he is in form and seeing it like a football.”

Shipton make two changes, with Simon Hole and Shaun Miller returning from injury to replace Joe Barrett, who is working at Lord’s and Craig Wood, who is likely to play for the 2nd XI after the birth of his child.

Thame head into the match bidding to bounce back from an eight-wicket defeat to Gerrards Cross six days ago.

New leaders Oxford travel to basement boys Cookham Dean.

John Barrett’s side leapfrogged Horspath at the top after getting the better of a draw between the clubs last weekend.

But the Oxford skipper says being three points clear does not change anything and the focus is on extending their unbeaten run to six games.

Barrett said: “I am not reading anything into it, we have got a lot of tough games.”

Mark Beer is away so all-rounder Arthur Muir makes his debut after impressing for the 2nds.

Second-placed Horspath will look to put the pressure on the leaders when they entertain Gerrards Cross.

Captain Will Eason is relaxed about losing top spot, he said: “If someone had said we would be second after ten games I would have snapped their hands off.”

Pat Foster replaces Harrison Ward, who is struggling with a calf strain.

Aston Rowant host Datchet.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Shipton (v Thame Tn, away): Hemming, Dickinson, Perkin, Sanklecha, Seacole, Lewis, Cross, C Miller, Brain, Hole, Miller.

Oxford (v Cookham Dean, away): Alam, Perera, Clough, Munsey, Barrett, Mendis, Crosby, Eltham, Simon, Fallah, Muir.

Horspath (v Gerrards Cross, home): Phillips, Stead, Ali, Raja, Green, Price, Eason, Mohammed, Faruk, Belcher, Foster.

HORSPATH’S Harrison Ward made his debut for Sussex in their 86-run win over Middlesex in the 2nd XI Championship.

Meanwhile, Abingdon Vale’s Ben Charlesworth scored his maiden half century for Gloucestershire in an 82-run defeat to Middlesex in the same competition.