SHAZ Khan is taking “nothing for granted” this weekend as Shrivenham host Minster Lovell in Division One of the OCA.

The repeat of last year’s Airey Cup final is the headline fixture in this week’s round of games and, while Shrivenham recorded a comfortable five-wicket victory to claim the trophy that day, Minster are currently unbeaten and top the division, ensuring a tougher test is in order for skipper Alex Bowles’s men this time around.

This fixture has generally been kind to Shrivenham, having suffered defeat just once in the past three years. However, opening bat Khan remained cautious about this weekend’s encounter: “It’s a new season, a new game and you can never underestimate any team you play,” he said. “They are a young but very strong team and, as they currently sit at the top of the table, I’m sure they will want to maintain their position and will obviously be very competitive”.

Minster’s form has been led by their impressive bowling displays, having taken all 30 available wickets this season for the expense of just 283 runs. Yet Shrivenham have taken maximum batting points in both games they’ve played this year, so this may be the ultimate test for Minster captain Nathan Harris’ young attack.

Bowles’s side are yet to stamp their mark on the division after a mixture of results but Khan rejected the idea that this weekend’s game will be a fairer insight into how competitive Shrivenham can be.

“I believe you have to play it one game at a time, whether you’re playing top or bottom of the table – every game is crucial,” he said. “If we can perform to our standards consistently and support each other, this will show a much better representation of where our season will go, not just one fixture.”