Ed Foster faces Sri Lanka A tourists‏

/by

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ed Foster, the consistent Shrewsbury opening batsman, hit 31 against international opposition after receiving a call up to play for Unicorns.

Foster had previously turned down the chance to play for Unicorns, the Minor Counties representative side which is effectively a team made up of the best amateur players in the country.

But he accepted the opportunity to play for them against the Sri Lanka A tourists in a one-day clash at Newcastle’s South Northumberlad Cricket Club.

Foster faced 45 balls for his 31 at the top of the Unicorns order, cracking three boundaries, as he helped his side, which also featured another Shropshire player in paceman Ben Sanderson, post 237.

But it was not quite enough as the Sri Lankans responded with 240-5 to seal a five-wicket victory.

Rod Foster, the Shrewsbury captain and Ed’s younger brother, said the Unicorns call was good recognition.

“They asked him to play for them a few years ago when he was Shropshire captain,” he said. “But too many of the games clashed with Shropshire fixtures and he wasn’t looking to get back into first class cricket which a lot of the players who play for Unicorns are.

“It’s a great achievement for Ed to have been picked to play against Sri Lanka A, a good experience for him to play against a side of their quality.”

Steve Barnard

Steve Barnard returns for Dorridge trip

/by

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Shrewsbury captain Rob Foster insists his team’s first priority is picking up enough points to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation scrap in the Birmingham Cricket League premier division.

Foster concedes Shrewsbury, who travel to Dorridge on Saturday, have little chance of making it back-to-back titles given they trail leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth by 75 points.

His first target, he admits, is trying to widen the current 16 point gap between Shrewsbury, who are eighth in the table, and second-bottom Walsall.

“First of all, it’s about stopping up,” said Foster, whose side were washed out without a ball bowled at home to Brockhampton last weekend. “You can quickly get dragged into something so we just need to get a few wins as soon as we can to give us a bit of a breathing space really.”

Foster hopes one of them will come on Saturday at a Dorridge side two places and eight points above them in the table, not that he’s expecting anything other than a tough game.

“They’ve picked up quite a bit,” he said. “They were a bit short when we beat them at home earlier in the season but they’ve had people like Laurie Evans, a regular at Warwickshire, playing quite often for them recently.”

Shrewsbury, whose second team host Old Hill II on Saturday, will be without unavailable batsman Tom Cox but influential all-rounder Steve Barnard is poised to return.

Shrewsbury, meanwhile, booked their place in the final of the Salop Leisure Twenty20 Knockout Trophy by beating Whitchurch by seven wickets in front of a big London Road crowd.

They will now have home advantage for the final against Owestry next Friday, August 1 (6.15pm).

Having restricted Whitchurch to a modest 97-8 from their 20 overs, Shrewsbury had few problems advancing to 103-3.

Guest player Kim Rose, an Aussie who plays for Shelton in the Shropshire League, top scored with an unbeaten 23 while there were also contributions from Anthony Parker (21no), Ed Barnard (20) and Patrick Butler (20).

“It was great to see a good crowd there,” added Foster. “It was quite a one-sided game but it should be a good final against Oswestry.”

Elsewhere, Shrewsbury duo Steve Leach and spinner Charlie Morris, a debutant, were both part of the Shropshire side which beat Cornwall by six wickets in the Unicorns Championship at St Austell this week.

Leach, the opening batsman, top scored with 72 as Shropshire were bowled out for 300 in their first innings.

Cornwall were removed for 188 and 203 either side as former Yorkshire paceman Ben Sanderson grabbed seven wickets in each innings for brilliant match figures of 14 for 108 from 35.5 overs.

Despite a couple of early wobbles, Shropshire, next in action against Devon at Exeter between August 3 and 5, had few problems in reaching their victory target at 92-4 as they achieved back-to-back Championship wins.

SHREWSBURY: E Foster, S Leach, E Barnard, R Foster (captain), A Parker, S Barnard, D Jones, M Barnard, E Green, S Griffiths, C Morris.

Rob Foster

Captain Foster returns for Brockhampton visit

/by

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

SHREWSBURY are boosted by the return of captain Rob Foster for Saturday’s home clash with Brockhampton in the Birmingham Cricket League’s premier division as the club’s exciting teenager Ed Barnard celebrates another England under-19 call up.

Foster was unavailable for last weekend’s eight-wicket defeat at leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth, a result which leaves the London Roaders languishing in eighth place in the top-flight table.

A second-wicket partnership of 135 between former Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali and current Warwickshire regular Ateeq Javid sentenced Shrewsbury to a heavy reverse after opener Steve Leach carried his bat for an unbeaten 77 for the county towners.

But the skipper is back for Saturday and takes his place in a 12-man Shrewsbury squad featuring Worcestershire prospect Barnard who has been called up for England’s two Test series against South Africa later this summer.

Barnard helped England to a third-placed finish in the under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year.

The opening Test against the young Springboks is at Cambridge ground Fenners starting on August 1 before the second Test begins at Northamptonshire CCC from August 7.

The young Lions will also face Yorkshire’s under-19s in a warm up game at Sleaford on July 29.

Meanwhile, Ed Foster, Shrewsbury’s consistent batsman, has now urged his side to finish strongly over the final 10 games of the season as they look to climb the table, starting with Saturday’s visit of fourth-placed Brockhampton.

“Brockhampton are a strong side, a dangerous side, with a lot of experienced league cricketers and Herefordshire players,” said Foster.

“We had a very close away game against them earlier in the season when we lost off the last ball of the match.

“In some ways that’s been the story of our season as we’ve had quite a few close games and not quite won enough of them.”

Shrewsbury are waiting on the availability of Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach before finalising their side.

There’s also cricket at London Road tomorrow night (Friday, 6.15pm start) with Shrewsbury, the holders, meeting Whitchurch in the second semi-final of the Salop Leisure T20 KO Trophy.

The victors will take on Oswestry, four-wicket winners over Shifnal in the opening last four clash last Friday night, in the grand final at London Road on Friday, August 1.

As an incentive to attract more spectators, season ticket holders at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, those wearing the club’s football shirt and anyone picking up a flyer at the club’s first two pre-season friendlies at the Greenhous Meadow will qualify for a free drink tomorrow night.

Rather than holding the tournament on a Sunday in August as in previous years, it is being spread over three Friday evenings this summer to attract more spectators and avoid fixture congestion towards the end of the season.

SHREWSBURY, from: E Foster, S Leach, J Leach, E Barnard, T Cox, R Foster, A Parker, D Jones, M Barnard, E Green, S Griffiths, C Morris.

Steve Leach

First class West Brom in convincing victory

/by

TWO batsmen with plenty of experience of first class cricket took the game away from Shrewsbury as they were well beaten by eight wickets by a side on course to succeed them as Birmingham League champions.

Shrewsbury had no complaints after losing heavily by eight wickets at in-form leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Steve Leach carried his bat for an unbeaten 77 as Shrewsbury lost their way following a bright start to be pegged back to 191-7.

Then former Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali and current Warwickshire star Ateeq Javed put on 135 for the second wicket as the table-toppers made light work of their chase, easing to 192-2 with more than a dozen overs to spare.

Shrewsbury remain in the wilderness of mid-table as they get ready to host top four side Brockhampton on Saturday, a match which will see the return of captain Rob Foster, unavailable last weekend.

Tom Cox, stand-in skipper in his absence, opted to bat first on winning the toss at West Bromwich and it seemed to be a wise decision when Shrewsbury advanced to 92-1.

Leach and Ed Foster, who made 43, put on 77 for the first wicket and Shrewsbury were looking good until the departure of Worcestershire’s Joe Leach for nine prompted a collapse to 118-5 which was instigated by spinner Aqsad Ali who eventually claimed 6-51 from 17 overs.

Ed Barnard, Cox, Anthony Parker and Dewi Jones also quickly perished for single figure scores as Shropshire opener Leach watched on from the other end.

He ended unbeaten on 77 from 153 balls, hitting seven boundaries, receiving some support down the order from Mike Barnard (25) as Shrewsbury were unable to reach 200.

“He’s had a tough year, but he really showed his quality,” said Ed Foster, of his fellow opener Leach. “It was tricky at times and as the wickets fell he kept going.

“We felt our score was a strong total but probably 20 or 30 runs short of being really competitive.

“Four of the five bowlers they used were spinners and probably 50 of the 55 overs were spin which took us a little by surprise. They had a plan and stuck to it well.”

West Bromwich, emphatic winners at London Road on the opening day of the season when Shrewsbury were skittled for just 83, set about their chase with relish.

Opener Ali, the brother of England new boy Moeen and Whitchurch captain Omar, showed why he enjoyed a career in first class cricket with Worcestershire, Leicestershire and Gloucestershire by hitting a six and 14 boundaries on his way to 92 from 128 balls.

He missed out on a century when he was caught behind by Parker off Wales Minor Counties paceman Jones.

Ali was well supported at the other end by current Edgbaston regular Javid who marked his seasonal bow for West Bromwich with an unbeaten 69 as the leaders got home with plenty to spare.

“It’s always tough when you come up against two professionals with lots of first class runs who are playing well,” added Foster.

“Kadeer Ali has got plenty of first class centuries and that can be forgotten sometimes as we’ve played against him quite often now, but he’s one of the best players in the league.

“We felt Ateeq Javid should have been given out stumped off Elliot Green when he had about 15 but he wasn’t and he went on to play very well.

“It goes to show what a strong league this is when you come up against players like that.

“The result probably looks worse than it actually was and it should be remembered West Bromwich are a very good side who played the conditions well.”

Meanwhile, there was better news for SHREWSBURY II, bottom of the Birmingham League’s premier reserve division, as they enjoyed one of their better days this season by picking up 15 points from a winning draw at home to Harborne II.

Shrewsbury rattled up an imposing 277 all out before restricting Harbone to 165-8.

The highlight for Shrewsbury was a brilliant 130 from Shropshire all-rounder Alex Blofield whose first team availability has been limited this season.

Shrewsbury’s second string head to Herefordshire to take on fifth-placed Brockhampton II on Saturday.

Salop Leisure T20

Oswestry Clinch Place In Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy Final

/by

Oswestry are through to the final of the Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy tournament after beating Shifnal by four wickets in the first semi-final last Friday night.

Last season’s beaten finalists Shifnal batted first and posted 184-2 with Jack Edwards unbeaten on 78 and Bruce Thomason making 52, while Vansh Bajaj claimed 1-14 off his four overs.

Oswestry’s run chase got off to a flying start with 17 off the first over and they were left needing eight for victory off the final over. Victory was secured with two balls and four wickets to spare as Warrick Fynn hit an unbeaten 86 and Joe Clarke (33) and Alex Huxley (20) made useful contributions

The second semi-final sees hosts and defending champions Shrewsbury entertain Whitchurch on Friday evening at 6.15pm, with the victor facing a final showdown with Oswestry on Friday, August 1.

As an incentive to attract more spectators, season ticket holders at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, those wearing the club’s football shirt and anyone picking up a flyer at the club’s two pre-season friendlies at the Greenhous Meadow will qualify for a free drink if they attend the Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy semi-final.

Rather than holding the tournament on a Sunday in August as in previous years, it is being spread over three Friday evenings this summer to attract more spectators and avoid fixture congestion towards the end of the season.

Ed barnard

Ed Barnard named in England U19 squad to face South Africa

/by

Article from www.ecb.co.uk

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced a 14-man England Under-19s squad under the captaincy of Yorkshire’s Will Rhodes for the international Test series against South Africa U19s in early August.

England will begin with a two-day practice match versus a Yorkshire U19 XI at Sleaford CC on July 29 and 30, before the Test series begins at Fenner’s, Cambridge on August 1. The second Test match will start on August 7 at Northampton.

EDP Head Selector David Graveney said: “This is a great opportunity to continue the progress made through-out the winter and to play against the current U19 world champions. At this age-group level the sides tend to play more one-day cricket, so this is a real chance for both of the teams to hone their skills over the longer format of the game.

“Thanks must go to Yorkshire for helping us prepare for this series by providing an opposition for our practice game starting at Sleaford on July 29.”

Will Rhodes (Captain), Yorkshire

Jonathan Tattersall (Vice-Captain), Yorkshire

Tom Alsop, Hampshire

Ed Barnard, Worcestershire

Karl Carver, Yorkshire

Joe Clarke, Worcestershire

Matt Fisher, Yorkshire

Ryan Higgins, Middlesex

Rob Jones, Lancashire

Saqib Mahmood, Lancashire

Rob Sayer, Leicestershire

Josh Shaw, Yorkshire

Dominic Sibley, Surrey

Luke Wood, Nottinghamshire

Itinerary:

July 29-30 – Two-day practice match vs. Yorkshire U19 XI at Sleaford CC.

August 1-4 – First Test Match at Fenner’s.

August 7-10 – Second Test Match at Northampton.

Youngster Hargrave given Midlands call

/by

PROMISING Shrewsbury cricketer George Hargrave has been selected by the Midlands for the prestigious Bunbury under-15 Cricket Festival – while the London Road club’s first team target revenge at high flying West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday.

Warwickshire Academy prospect Hargrave, who has been in good touch for Shrewsbury’s second team in recent weeks, will take his place alongside the country’s top up and coming young players at Oakham School between July 20-25.

The renowned festival has been a breeding ground for many future stars in the past, among them former England spinner Graeme Swann, who will present the talented local lad with his Bunbury cap later this month.

Hargrave, a Shrewsbury School pupil, is rated highly by Shrewsbury skipper Rob Foster. Not only does he regularly open the batting for Shrewsbury’s second team, he is also a gifted young wicketkeeper.

“He’s a special talent for a young lad,” said Foster. “He’s only 14 and he’s quite small physically but he’s got great technique and concentration. You don’t see too many young lads with the determination to score runs like he has.

“He’s a very good cricketer and it’s good to see him involved at the Bunbury Festival. It will be good experience for him and the club’s delighted for him.”

Foster, meanwhile, will miss Shrewsbury’s Birmingham League trip to joint leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday as he is unavailable.

Tom Cox will assume the captaincy in his absence and Foster just hopes the county towners can turn the tables for a heavy opening day defeat at home to West Bromwich when they they were bowled out for just 83.

“We were thrashed at home by them first game of the season,” recalled Foster, ruefully. “It would be good to put in a performance there like we have done in the last few weeks.

“It was embarrassing against them at home so we owe ourselves one to put in a better performance against them. Hopefully we can go there and get the lion’s share of the points.”

Foster added he had every faith in batsman Cox’s ability to lead the side.

“Tom’s done it in my absence before and he’s more than capable,” he said. “He’s a legend in Saracens circles for having won the Cricketer Cup as captain a couple of years ago.”

Shrewsbury have yet to finalise selection with Alex Blofield, Patrick Butler and Mike Barnard all in the frame to replace Foster against a West Bromwich side level on points with Berkswell at the top of the premier division table.

Former Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali is one of several potential danger men, but Foster has urged his side to maintain their revival.

Shrewsbury had much the better of a draw at home to Walmley last Saturday after winning comfortably at Walsall a week earlier.

Those two results have lifted them from second-bottom up into mid-table in seventh spot.

SHREWSBURY, from: S Leach, E Foster, J Leach, E Barnard, T Cox, A Parker, D Jones, S Griffiths, E Green, M Barnard, A Blofield, C Morris, P Butler.

Shrewsbury take lion’s share from Walmley contest

/by

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Skipper Rob Foster insisted he was happy with a 17-point return after Shrewsbury produced a dominant display against Walmley to keep moving in the right direction in the Birmingham League’s premier division.

Half centuries from Joe Leach, Ed Foster and Ed Barnard helped Shrewsbury rattle up an imposing total of 278-7.

Sam Griffiths then helped himself to four wickets as Walmley recovered from 95-6 to close on 193-8.

The result lifted Shrewsbury up to seventh spot in the table and ensures they will travel to joint leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday in good spirits.

“I was happy with the performance,” said skipper Foster, who picked up a wicket in the first over he’s bowled this season. “We have wanted to put a bit of consistency into our cricket and this was as good as you can get really without a win bar one more bonus point.

“It was obviously disappointing not to get 24 points but it’s as close as a win you can get. We dominated the game really from five overs in to the end so that was pleasing to see.”

Shrewsbury struggled for runs earlier in the season but this was one of their more productive days with the bat as they scored freely.

They lost Steve Leach early on but Ed Foster and Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach then put on 158 for the second wicket.
Leach top scored with 73 from 119 balls and Foster cracked 70 from 99 deliveries.

England under-19 international Barnard kept the scoreboard ticking over by making 54 before wicketkeeper Anthony Parker added a brisk, unbeaten 28 to lift the score up to 278-7.

Skipper Foster said: “When Ed (Foster) scores runs it seems to settle the side down and help us.

“It was good to have Joe Leach back and he played well. They built a platform for us.

“Ed Barnard then came in and showed his class and Mushy (Anthony Parker) got a few as well so it’s good to see him getting runs. It was a good performance with the bat.”

Walmley, in reply, looked on the brink of going under once former Warwickshire batsman Navdeep Poonia was bowled by Griffiths who took 4-34 from 15 overs.

But Chris Whittock managed to steady the ship for the visitors with an unbeaten 56 as Walmley, despite Joe Leach also taking 2-32, held on for the draw, closing on 193-8.

“Sam was the star with the ball,” added Foster, who decided to bring himself on to bowl for the first time this season towards the end, taking a wicket with his fourth ball.

“I only bowled three or four overs last season but I thought I would give it a try,” he added. “A few people have twisted my arm to have a bowl.

“It’s just a case of doing what’s best for the side. If I need to bowl a few overs then so be it.”

Meanwhile, SHREWSBURY II are 13 points adrift at the bottom of the Birmingham League’s premier reserve division following a 49 run defeat at high flying Walmley II.

Henry Blofield (3-49) and Aussie Patrick Butler (2-38) picked up some reward as Walmley, held together by 90 from James Brocklebank, totalled 246-8.

Shrewsbury’s openers Jon Anders (60) and George Hargrave (45) laid solid foundations to the reply while Blofield (38) and George Panayi (29) also weighed in as the visitors were dismissed for 197.

Shrewsbury’s second string host Harborne II on Saturday.

Shrewsbury clubs and sponsor in bid to attract new spectators to T20 tournament

Shrewsbury clubs and sponsor in bid to attract new spectators to T20 tournament

/by

A leading Shrewsbury-based business and two of the town’s top sports clubs have joined forces to attract new spectators to cricket and football matches.

Season ticket holders at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, those wearing the club’s football shirt and anyone picking up a flyer at the club’s two pre-season friendlies at the Greenhous Meadow against Chesterfield on July 12 and West Brom on July 15 will qualify for a free drink at Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy tournament, which begins on Friday (July 11).

In addition to sponsoring the exciting T20 tournament, award-winning caravan dealership Salop Leisure has agreed to pay for the drinks in the hope that more spectators will be encouraged to watch Shrewsbury Cricket Club this year.

The format of the popular Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy tournament has been changed this year. Rather than holding the tournament on one day – a Sunday in August – as in previous years, it will be spread over three Friday evenings.

Shifnal, last season’s beaten finalists, will take on Oswestry on July 11, holders Shrewsbury face Whitchurch on July 18 and the winners of both matches meet in the final on August 1. All the matches start at 6.15pm and are hosted by Shrewsbury Cricket Club.

“We hope this new format will attract more people to the club across the three fixtures and create an atmosphere similar to what the county T20 game has done by switching to a Friday night to get bigger crowds,” said Scott Higgins, sales and marketing manager at Salop Leisure, tournament sponsor.

“Hopefully, this offer will attract football fans, who may never have been to the cricket club before, to see the high standard of cricket on display from the county’s top cricketers – it may make them want to come again!

“Obviously the football club also hopes to attract cricket fans to cheer on Shrewsbury Town during the football season.”

 

Salop Leisure T20

Salop Leisure Twenty20 set to kick off

/by

Join us at London Road for cricketing fun for all the family as Twenty20 cricket featuring some of the county’s best teams and players gets under way in Shropshire.

The Salop Leisure Twenty20 returns for 2014 with a new format – bringing the fast paced Twenty20 action to Friday nights this summer!

The matches will kick off on Friday 11th July with Shifnal taking on Oswestry followed by Shrewsbury against Whitchurch the following Friday 18th. The final will then take place on 1st August with all matches taking place at Shrewsbury’s London Road ground.

Long time competition sponsors Salop Leisure will be sponsoring the first drink (can of Carling, Worthington or Coke) for all Shrewsbury Town FC fans who come to watch any of the semi finals or final. Simply show your STFC season ticket or wear an STFC shirt to qualify.

The fixtures

Friday 11th July
Shifnal v Oswestry – 6.15pm

Friday 18th July
Shrewsbury v Whitchurch – 6.15pm

Friday 1st August
Grand Final – 6.15pm