South Wilts will be keeping a close eye on the London Heathrow terminal breakfast time arrivals tomorrow.

That’s when Joe Cranch plans to jet in ready to take his place for the defending champions against Premier Division new boys Burridge at Bemerton (11.30am).

Cranch, who hammered a quick-fire 70 in last week’s win at Lymington, has been in the USA on a business trip and only plans to land at 7am, leaving a break-neck rush back to Bemerton for the start.

“It underlines his commitment to play,” smiled former South Wilts captain James Hayward, whose side lies ten points behind Havant in the log.

With Steve Warner absent, left-arm seamer Marc Burton retains his place in the side.

Weather ravaged Burridge have won their last two matches against Alton and Totton & Eling.

South Wilts: Morton, Abel, Mynott, Riddle, Hayward, Hibberd, Cranch, Franklin, Foley, Richards, Burton. Burridge: Rick Ankers, Sean Terry, Shu Chowdhury, Derek Kenway, Alex Styles, James Richards, Geoff Dods, Jamie Rood, Greg Thew, Seth Jackson, Nick McMurray.

Ventnor are lining up a rare event on the Isle of Wight tomorrow – an ECB Southern Electric Premier League home match at Newclose, their adopted home !

Their three previous attempts to play on the island’s ‘county ground’ this season have been thwarted by the weather – heavy rain having waterlogged the surface and put paid to the games against the Hampshire Academy, Lymington and Alton.

But it’s all systems go for the visit of Totton & Eling tomorrow (11.30).

Hampshire’s Michael Bates has been pencilled in to play a batting role.

Bates is expected to replace the unavailable Ian Hilsum.

Ventnor: Holmes, Mills, George, Eysele, Bates, Duggan, Westhorpe, Friend, Ridley, Wilson, Corbin, Cheek.