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Asanka leads Swindon's revenge bid
SRI LANKAN all-rounder Asanka Vithanage will make his competitive debut for Swindon tomorrow as Darren Beasant's side look to finally lay the ghost of Marshfield to rest, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.
Swindon lost twice to the villagers last summer and will be determined to make it third time lucky when the sides toss up for their Glos/Wilts Division opener at Ashwicke Road.
The absence of a front line slow bowler cost Swindon dear last year when Marshfield amassed 308 at the County Ground, but Beasant believes he has finally found the missing piece of the jigsaw.
"Asanka played for us in a friendly against Great Bedwyn at the weekend and he was mightily impressive," said Beasant, pictured.
"I don't think I've seen someone turn the ball as far as that so early in the season.
"He's also a handy bat too, so it's going to be tough for me to keep him out of the top order if he starts to make a few runs.
"We also have Matty Gumm. He has gone from the fourth team to the first in a few short years, and his slow left arm will also be a threat.
"Last season we really missed the presence of a front line slow bowler, so to have two options is great.
"We are away from home for six of the first nine weeks, which means we will have a lot of games at the County Ground towards the end of the summer.
"If that means using two slow bowlers on a turning pitch in late August I will have no problems with that."
On paper Swindon will start as one of the favourites for promotion to Premier Two, although Beasant is keen to play down any talk of a title challenge.
The opening batsman is determined to lead from the front this season, and has promised to let his star players to do what comes naturally to them.
"Perhaps last year I was a little guilty of not letting people play to their strengths," admitted Beasant.
"I asked some of our naturally attacking bowlers to be defensive in the middle of the innings, and some of our attacking batsmen not to be overly aggressive.
"We still need to value our wickets, but I also want the boys to play with a bit more freedom this summer.
"If we give 100 per cent every week and teams are good enough to beat us, then fair enough."
Swindon are at full strength for the trip to Marshfield. The fixture was scheduled to take place at the County Ground, but was switched because Swindon Town are playing at home against Millwall.
On Sunday, Swindon host Glos/Wilts rivals Chippenham in the first round of the National KO Cup.
WOOTTON Bassett skipper Neil Twine is confident his side can secure a mid-table finish in the Glos/Wilts Division but insists a good start to the season is crucial.
Avoiding relegation is the main aim for last season's Wiltshire Division champions but Twine believes a flying start could see Bassett make a charge towards the top half.
"We have to take our team spirit from last season into this one," said Twine.
"Avoiding relegation is obviously the first objective but if we can get off to a good start then we can do well.
"If we can win two or three of our first five matches then we have a great chance of a half-way finish.
"If we lose three or four of our first five matches then it will be tough for us.
"I'm confident we can do well though and get off to a good start."
Goatacre and Marlborough are also in Glos/Wilts action tomorrow, at home to Gloucester City Winget and away to Chippenham respectively.
Nationwide House will look to put the loss of opening bat Mark Vincent firmly behind them when they visit Malmesbury in the Wiltshire Division curtain raiser.
Elsewhere in the division, Paul Rowley's Lechlade lock horns with rivals Purton in what promises to be another hard-fought contest.
The Wiltshire County Cricket League also gets underway this weekend, when KC Club (formerly Swindon Litten Tree) will be looking for a winning start in Division One, and Highworth open their Division Two account with a trip to Wroughton Wranglers.
9:34am Friday 2nd May 2008
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