Cornwall's quest for Minor Counties glory continues tomorrow when they make a first visit to Great Tew in the Cotswolds to face Oxfordshire.
Cornwall go into tomorrow's game, which is key to their hopes of winning the Western Division title, without long-serving skipper Tom Sharp who misses the game due to imminent birth of his second child.
His absence will be unique as he has been present at every one of Cornwall's games since the start of 2001 season – a total of 114 games in all.
The win against Cheshire, at Truro's Boscawen Park, last time out was Sharp's hundredth competitive game as skipper after taking over from Gary Thomas for the final game of the 2001 season.
Since then he has been in charge for 64 three-day games and 36 one-dayers. He missed two games in 2005 due to injury, when David Roberts took over the captaincy, but has led the side for the 69 games since.
Taking over from Sharp tomorrow is 22-year-old Callington skipper Matt Robins who made his debut in 2006 and will be making his 36th championship appearance.
To put things in perspective, Robins was playing for Cornwall Under-11s when Sharp first skippered Cornwall at Exmouth in 2001.
Apart from the absence of Sharp, the Duchy line-up has a more familiar look to it with four changes to the team that beat Cheshire by 105 runs. Regulars Dan Davis and Alex Smeeth (work), Keith Parsons (Unicorns) and Andrew Libby (injured) return to the side in place of Sharp, Ben Smeeth, Ben Kitt and Thomas. Matt Rowe, who was a late replacement at Truro, retains his place.
Cornwall go into the game after fine wins against Wiltshire and Cheshire. They have opened up an eight points lead over Dorset and Wiltshire.
Oxfordshire are not out of it either as they lie in fourth place, just 12 points off the pace, after defeating Herefordshire by 107 runs at Brockhampton, after the home side had been set an improbable 398 to win.
Earlier in the season they drew against Berkshire and Dorset and had a complete washout against Wales Minor Counties at Challow & Childrey.
Cornwall: M L Robins (Capt), J D Libby, A C Libby (all Callington), D F Davis (Thornbury), T Williams (wk) (St Austell), K A Parsons (Taunton St Andrews), M H Rowe (Troon), A G Smeeth, C A Hunkin (Grampound Road), R J Harrison (Truro), S C Hockin (both Werrington).
Oxfordshire: I A Hawtin (Capt), R I Kaufman, L M Sabin, C S Knightley, J A Cater, J J Perkin, C P Watling, C B Keegan, L C Ryan, D T Smith, D N Wade.
