18/06/2026
Saturday Preview: Sunshine, Squad Depth, Sod’s Law and Opportunities Galore!
We go into the third Saturday in June in the frankly suspicious position of looking at consecutive weekends where the rain does not appear to be planning to ruin everything. There may be a bit of cloud about, but for once the forecast is mostly dry and warm. Naturally, nobody at Oakley is getting too excited. We have all seen a “dry Saturday” turn into Noah’s Ark trials by 2:15pm.
With some tough fixtures ahead, we all know what happens next. That’s right, Sod’s Law has glanced at the selection sheet, cracked its knuckles, and got to work. A few key First XI players are sadly missing this week, but this is where the strength of the club really shows. Oakley now has proper depth across the squads, and rather than seeing absences as a problem, this is a brilliant chance for others to step up, take responsibility and remind the selectors they exist.
The First XI travel to Whitchurch knowing they will need to be switched on from ball one against a side with a 100% start. They are without Dan Jones, Nathan Scarff and Stef Kaltner this week, so there has been some shuffling of the Oakley pack. The good news is that Ian Bennett returns, while Nigel Bishop and in-form Kunal Solanki step up into a batting line-up that still looks strong, still bats deep, and still has enough experience to know which end of the bat to hold.
Dan Jones, with 16 wickets and a superb start to the season, is obviously a big player to be without. However, cricket has a habit of opening doors for others, usually just after it has slammed one on your availability spreadsheet. Mike Bryant bowled well for the 2s last week and fully deserves his chance. The Oaks know Whitchurch will be a serious test, but there is more than enough quality in the side to give them plenty to think about.
The Second XI entertain high-flying and high-scoring Binsted at Oakley Park in what looks like a proper challenge. After Mike, Kunal and Nigel were promoted to the Ones, the 2s have had to reshuffle too, but that is exactly what club cricket is all about. Noah Beckell and Zak Newton return, George Rutt and Ollie Rabley step up, and there is also the long-awaited return of former First XI skipper James Bayliss, who we believe has been defrosted, re-oiled and declared available for selection.
The equation for the 2s is simple enough: runs would be lovely. Losing Kunal, Mike and Mozzer means others now have the chance to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Some runs for Tiley and a return to early-season form from George Lethaby would be very welcome against a strong side. With the ball, Ollie, George Bird, Zak Newton and Joy Beatty will need to be right on the money, while Noah Beckell and George Lethaby may also be asked to share the load, ideally without any of them pretending not to hear when the captain calls their name.
Binsted are dangerous because they like to score big, but the way they play also offers chances. BinstedBall, if you will. It will be a tough test, but also an exciting one. It has not been made easier by a First XI raid, but that is Second XI cricket. One minute you have a settled side, the next minute someone has been borrowed, someone has remembered a wedding, and someone else has pulled a hamstring getting out of a camping chair. The positive is that opportunities are everywhere, and it would be great to see the lads take them.
Dan Beckell’s Third XI entertain Basingstoke IV at Newfound, and Dan has also had the chance to call on the club’s growing squad depth. The young and exciting trio of Zak Poulter, Ed Tucknott and George Oliphant all get the opportunity to shine, which is exactly what the Third XI is all about. There are definitely runs in that team, and if Ed and George can transfer their colts form into adult cricket, the Oaks could be right in the contest.
There are also enough bowling options to go around, which is good news considering how stretched things looked earlier in the week, when the selection committee probably considered putting “anyone with whites” into the WhatsApp group. Basingstoke have been struggling this season, but as we all know, availability can change everything at this level, so no one should be surprised if they arrive with a stronger side than the table suggests. This one is hard to call, but there is plenty of reason for Oakley optimism.
So yes, a few important players are missing. But this is not a weekend for doom, gloom or dramatic staring out of windows hoping for rain. This is a weekend that shows the depth, spirit and positivity running through the club. Players are stepping up, chances are there to be taken, and all three Oakley sides go into Saturday with competitive teams and plenty to play for.
Let’s enjoy our cricket on what should be a dry and warm day.
