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Steve Leach

MCCC awards for Shrewsbury trio

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

A TRIO of Shrewsbury players have received top Midlands Club Cricket Conference awards, with opening batsman Ed Foster insisting the recognition is well deserved.

Shrewsbury swept aside strong competition to be crowned Birmingham League champions with three games to spare in a campaign which also them reach the quarter finals of the ECB National Club Championship.

Now skipper Rob Foster, who could not have wished for a much more successful start at the helm, and promising young opening batsman Steve Leach have both won MCCC Cricketer of the Year awards.

There’s also silverware on the way for consistent wicketkeeper Anthony Parker who has scooped the Esmond Lewis Wicketkeeper of the Year award.

The awards will be presented at a dinner in Birmingham in March.

“It’s great recognition for the players involved but also for the club,” said Ed Foster, whose total of 874 runs made him the top run scorer in the Birmingham League premier division last season.

Five players from across the region are selected for Cricketer of the Year awards each year, with Rob Foster and Leach both getting the nod this time.

“Aside from the captaincy which he took to very well, Rob had a great season with the bat,” said Foster, of his younger brother. “He played some explosive and very effective innings at times but he also batted very responsibly when he needed to.

“The time Steve Leach spent in Australia last winter really helped his development and last season was his first big one in adult cricket.
“He came third in the list of run scorers in the premier division with more than 800 runs, a fantastic achivement for someone so young.

“We’re fortunate to have him at the club and, while it’s disappointing he’s not involved with the professional game at the moment having left Worcestershire, I’m sure another opportunity will come his way at some stage.”

Parker, the long-serving glovesman for Shropshire, played a key role behind the stumps for Shrewsbury in his first season with the club after making the switch from Shifnal.

Foster added: “It’s great for the bowlers to know there’s someone who will take the chances they provide. You won’t find a better wicket-keeper batsman in the league than Anthony.

“Anthony was excited to come and play for Shrewsbury as he’s a fierce competitor who wanted to come and play for a side challenging for trophies.”

Shrewsbury are no strangers to picking up MCCC winners and Elliot Green, their talented leg spinner, was named overall Cricketer of the Year, the top prize available, for 2012.

John Foster, Ed Foster and Steve Gale, all former Shrewsbury captains, have also won the prestigious award in the past.

Rob Foster collects the Birmingham League trophy in 2013

Williamson Trophy win caps memorable season

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

SHREWSBURY’S brilliant season ended on a suitably positive note as they became Birmingham League record breakers before lifting the Graham Williamson Trophy yet again.

Rob Foster’s runaway champions saw off Wombourne by five wickets in their final premier division encounter to end the season with a new top flight record high of 378 points.

Then, just for good measure, Shrewsbury saw off Barnt Green by 32 runs in a rain-affected Graham Williamson Trophy final at London Road on Sunday to win the competition for the fourth successive year.

Shrewsbury ultimately finished a mighty 91 points clear at the top of the premier division after ending their season of dominance with another win, their 14th outright victory from 22 league games.

“Breaking the points record was a nice motivation to have going into the last game,” admitted Foster. “It’s been a fantastic season and we’ve ended up playing 43 games in all competitions.

“It’s been a long season but it’s been well worthwhile.”

Relegated Wombourne were their final league victims, not that Shrewsbury had it all their own way before running out five-wicket winners.

Sam Griffiths, the former Shelton paceman now a key part of Shrewsbury’s bowling attack, helped himself to 4-15 as Wombourne were removed for 116 inside 35 overs.

There was also some joy with the ball for spinners Elliot Green (2-21) and Alex Blofield (2-49).

Shrewsbury, in reply, were soon in trouble at 44-5 and an upset looked on the cards.

But then skipper Foster (40no) joined forces with 14-year-old first team debutant George Hargrave (32no) to put on an unbroken stand of 72 for the sixth wicket as Shrewsbury advanced to 118-5.

“Wombourne bowled very well with the new ball and got some good genuine wickets,” said Foster. “But fortunately myself and young George Hargrave, a late call up to replace Tom Cox, managed to then put a partnership together.

“George batted fantastically well and showed real maturity for a 14-year-old making his debut for the first team.

“He’s quite a small lad but he’s a good player, very keen cricketer and is already part of the Warwickshire Academy. He did really well.”

Shrewsbury then dug deep into their selection reserves 24 hours later with a host of regulars unavailable for the Williamson Trophy final against Barnt Green.

Shrewsbury totalled 155-3 from their reduced allocation of 20 overs before Barnt Green, eventually set a revised victory target of 186 in 18 overs, pulled up short on 154-8.

Will Parton (47), Joe Leach (44) and the big hitting Matt Gregson (35no) put bat to ball effectively for Shrewsbury who were flying at 70-0 off 10 overs before a rain delay restricted their innings to 20 overs.

Duckworth Lewis calculations initially set Barnt Green a 20 over target of 208 but more rain cut that to 187 from 18 and they ended up 32 runs short, Griffiths completing a good weekend by taking a couple more wickets.

“It’s the fourth year in a row we’ve won this competition and we’re proud to have kept the run going,” added Foster.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury’s Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach achieved two notable milestones for the London Road club against Wombourne.

Leach took his 100th Birmingham League wicket for the club at 18 apiece and also passed 2,000 league runs. He averages just over 30 with the bat in the premier division.

Joe Leach

Joe Leach hails efforts of Salop Captain Rob Foster

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

JOE LEACH, Shrewsbury’s Worcestershire all-rounder, has saluted the efforts of skipper Rob Foster in leading the London Road club to Birmingham League title glory in his first season at the helm.

Leach, who grabbed five wickets in Monday’s title-clinching 127 run drubbing of Walsall, said Foster had handled the step up to captaincy impressively since succeeding his brother Ed in the top job.

Ed captained Shrewsbury to their first Birmingham League title in 2010 and followed it up with an ECB National Club Championship triumph 12 months later.

But Leach was keen to praise Rob’s leadership qualities after Shrewsbury were crowned champions with three games to spare, a remarkable achievement.

“Rob’s done it slightly differently,” said Leach. “He’s taken a little bit more of a relaxed approach than what Ed did and it’s worked.

“It’s also co-incided with the change in rules to 50 over win-lose cricket at the start and end of the league season which has been to our favour. That format suits us down to the ground.

“But Rob’s done a really good job. He’s kept his head and he’s captained as well as Ed did at any point so credit to him for that because Ed was a tough act to follow.”

Even during a season in which he has become a first team regular for Worcestershire, Leach insisted being part of such a successful Shrewsbury team meant so much to him.

“I thought this team could go on and win a lot of things so it’s nice that it’s starting to come to fruition,” he said. “It’s a pretty good feeling.

“I’m really pleased for the lads because they really deserve it and hopefully there’s lots more to come.”

Shrewsbury opted to bat first at a sun-kissed London Road against Walsall, the team they have succeeded as champions, but they were soon in a spot of bother at 50-3.

Help was just around the corner as opener Steve Leach, Joe’s younger brother, batted with real maturity to make a patient 65 as he shared in a 105 run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper Foster, who cracked 58 from 70 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper Anthony Parker then weighed in with a rapid 41 as Shrewsbury were bowled out for 223.

Walsall, in reply, quickly slumped to 46-5 with Joe Leach (5-29) grabbing all five wickets to take Shrewsbury to the brink of victory.

“That’s my role in the team, to lead from the front with the ball, so it was nice to do that,” he said.

Michael Barnard then got in on the act with 3-38 from the other end before Elliot Green, having miraculously recovered from an injury which had threatened to end his season, claimed the final wicket as he had Josh Bowker caught by Alex Blofield.

It ensured Walsall were all out for just 96 and signalled the start of the Shrewsbury celebrations with the ecstatic players quick to soak team manager Trevor Sheperd with champagne.

“I’m delighted,” said skipper Foster. “It was nice to win it so early and at home with a lot of people there. It’s a really good feeling.

“We chose to bat first and at 50-3 I thought it might be a bad choice. Myself and Steve Leach put a good partnership together before ‘Mushy’ (Anthony Parker) came in at the end and really took the game away from Walsall.

“Joe Leach with the new ball was then outstanding. He’s just a different level really and his first four dismissals were either caught at slip or caught behind, proper wickets. He was the difference with the ball but Mike Barnard backed him up at the other end which was good to see.”

Shrewsbury had moved to within touching distance of title glory by pulling off a three-wicket win at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Skipper Foster kept his cool to see the job through with an unbeaten 26 as Shrewsbury bided their time to progress past the winning post to 121-7.

Steve Barnard had earlier helped himself to 3-24, his victims including Worcestershire’s Aneesh Kapil for just six, as relegation-threatened Wolverhampton, having opted to bat first, were bowled out for 120.

The Blofield brothers were also among the wickets, with Alex taking 2-15 and Henry 2-17.

And that win paved the way for a truly memorable London Road day on Monday as Shrewsbury once again underlined they are the top club in the Midlands.

Rob Foster

Foster eyes more of the same

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

ROB FOSTER, Shrewsbury’s proud captain, wants his talented young side to become a dominant force in the Birmingham Cricket League after being crowned champions for the second time inside four years.

Shrewsbury wrapped up the premier division title of a league renowned as one of the best in the country with three games to spare after a five-wicket burst from Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach set up a convincing win over Walsall in front of a big London Road crowd on Monday.

Now Foster, delighted to have led his home town club to glory in his first season at the helm, is hungry for plenty more success.

“That’s got to have to be our aim now,” said Foster. “Wellington always go on about the fact they won the Birmingham League two years running in 2003 and 2004 so it would be nice to win it again next year.

“But you can’t take anything for granted in this league. You’ve just got to turn up and perform every week really. As soon as you start getting ahead of yourselves, you struggle.

“It’s just nice to win it as it’s great for the club and great for the lads.

“We’ve come a long way as a group since we first won the league in 2010 so it’s been very pleasing all round.

“We’ve only lost two of our 19 games this season in the league which shows how well we’ve played so I think it’s all credit to ourselves that we’ve finished it so early. We’ve been outstanding this year.”

Foster stressed it had been a real team effort this season, highlighting the contribution of the whole first team squad.

“It’s a credit to the strength of the club in the firsts and seconds really,” he said. “We’ve used something like 18 or 19 players on a Saturday in the first team.

“Henry Blofield pulled out of Monday’s game with tonsillitis but he’s stepped up into the first team bracket this season. Dan Manders has been around a long time but he put in a key performance for us at Walmley and people like Tom Ellis have also played their part at times.

“We’ve missed Ed Barnard the whole year and he’s probably the outstanding player his age in England having already played for England’s under-19s at 17 so it really has been a great all round effort.”

Foster now wants his team to push for more wins over the final three games of the season, beginning with Saturday’s visit of Brockhampton, one of only two sides to have beaten Shrewsbury in the league this season.

“We’ve earned the right to enjoy these three games and play with a bit more freedom,” said the skipper. “But it would be nice to get three more wins on the board and really hammer it home for the season. We don’t want to ease off or play poorly so it’s up to us to keep winning.”

Leach is ruled out through Worcestershire duty this weekend but Foster revealed there was a chance England batsman James Taylor, the club’s contracted player from Nottinghamshire, could be drafted in for his second apperance of the season.

“He might come in,” smiled Foster. “If he’s about and wants to play, I’ll try and get him in.”

There’s also cricket at London Road on Sunday with Shrewsbury hosting the popular Salop Leisure Twenty20 Knockout.

Shrewsbury take on Oswestry in the first semi final (10.30am) with the second last four clash between Whitchurch and Shifnal to follow. The two winners will then contest the final.

“It should be a good day, an enjoyable day,” added Foster. “It will be nice to have a few teams from around the county here.”

Steve Barnard

Steve Barnard the hero in hard-fought win

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

ROB FOSTER was all smiles after Steve Barnard’s late heroics with the bat kept Shrewsbury right on course to be crowned Birmingham League champions.

Two more victories over a busy Bank Holiday weekend which takes Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton on Saturday before hosting Walsall on Monday would take the London Roaders to the brink of title glory.

The ice cool Barnard hit a six and then a four from the final two balls of a dramatic premier division clash as Shrewsbury just about reached their revised victory target after several rain interruptions to seal a hard-earned two-wicket verdict over Walmley.

Joe Leach, Shrewsbury’s Worcestershire all-rounder, had earlier underlined his first class credentials by bowling sharply to take six wickets.

But it was the way in which Barnard stayed focused to secure another priceless victory which really delighted skipper Foster and the watching spectators, among them James Taylor, the Nottinghamshire and England batsman, and Shrewsbury’s high profile contracted player.

“It was nerve racking at the end,” said Foster. “We were far from our best so it’s always nice to win. Steve Barnard was magic really at the end, hitting the winning runs.

“It’s the second time this season against Walmley that we quite comfortably could have lost so it was great to win to keep our lead at the top, especially as Brockhampton also won.

“It’s a big result as it keeps us 55 points ahead with 100 points to play for.

“It’s massively in our hands so we just need to turn up and perform a bit better than we did against “Walmley.”

Walmley batted first and a 174 run stand for the fourth wicket between former Warwickshire and Derbyshire man Mo Sheikh, unbeaten on 102, and Andrew Hendry (89), formed the bedrock of their 258-9 from 50 overs.

Leach was far and away the pick of the Shrewsbury attack, taking 6-34 from 10 sharp overs a day after helping Worcestershire beat Bangladesh A at New Road.

“Joe was brilliant,” said Foster. “He did exactly what you want him to do and was the stand out by far, miles above anyone else who bowled for us.

“The rest of our bowling and fielding efforts was pretty ordinary all round which was disappointing, but Joe was outstanding which was good to see.”

Shrewsbury began their reply set a revised target of 238 from a reduced 40 overs but a couple more interruptions owing to rain eventually meant the figure that mattered was 190 in 32 overs.

After the final delay it all came down to the county towners needing to hit 47 from the final 4.4 overs and on the resumption Shropshire wicketkeeper Anthony Parker promptly cracked three successive sixes.

Shrewsbury then had a little wobble before Barnard (14no) hit a six off the penultimate ball of the match followed by a four off the final delivery to lead the relieved hosts over the line to 193-8.

Tom Cox, at No 5, had earlier dug in to hit 54 while Parker (37), Rob Foster (23) and Ed Foster (20) also contributed.
“Anthony’s three sixes in a row swung the game back in our favour,” added the skipper. “At one stage we needed 19 to win off the last three overs and I thought we would cruise it.

“We then nearly threw it away but then Steve Barnard came up with the goods again.”

Ed Foster

Foster blasts Kiddi to extend lead

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

ED FOSTER, such a model of consistency down the years, insisted he was thrilled to replace his dad John in the club record books after hitting the highest league score by any Shrewsbury player.

Foster was at his brilliant best as he inspired the London Roaders to a crushing 222 run win in their top of the table clash against Kidderminster in the Birmingham League premier division.

Shrewsbury are now 39 points clear in pole position ahead of Saturday’s trip to Barnt Green.

Foster, an opening bat and former club and county captain just like his dad, is no stranger to weighing in with big scores.

But his efforts in cracking a sparkling 169 to set up an imposing Shrewsbury total of 362-7 was something special even by his high standards.

It eclipsed the previous club record score of 159 achieved by his dad in a Shropshire League match at Shifnal in 1991.

And fittingly Ed’s younger brother, Rob, the current Shrewsbury skipper, was in the middle batting with him when he broke the record.

“It was good fun, a bit surreal really,” said Foster. “It’s not every day you get scores like that, individually and as a team.

“To make over 360 was a brilliant effort and it was a really good win to extend our lead at the top of the table.

“Me and Rob have had it drummed into us since we were young that dad holds the record with 159.

“When I got to 150 Rob was out there batting with me and said ‘you know what’s coming’.

“It was good to get it and quite a lot of people around the ground knew about it so that was nice.”

As well as being a new club record, it was also the highest score racked up by Foster, a man renowned as arguably the leading batsman in the Birmingham League.

“I got 160 when I was playing in Australia once,” he said. “I also scored 155 over here in a league game a couple of years ago but this was comfortably my best.”

Foster helped himself to no fewer than five towering sixes and 18 boundaries with his 169 coming from 133 balls.

He received sound support from brother Rob, who hammered a quickfire 67, and also Joe Leach (45), part of the Worcestershire side beaten by Warwickshire at a sold out New Road in the Friends Life Twenty20 the previous night.

Leach himself is bang in form having cracked 131 for Shrewsbury at Wombourne in the league a week earlier and then 162 for Worcestershire II in their 2nd XI Championship clash against Warwickshire at Ombersley.

There were also runs for Tom Cox (27) and Steve Barnard (20no) as Shrewsbury shone in the sun to accumulate a daunting 362-7 from their 55 overs.

Kidderminster’s much vaunted batting line up were then found wanting as they were dismissed for 140.

Leach (2-27) enjoyed removing his Worcestershire team mate Matt Pardoe, who regularly opens for the Pears, caught and bowled for just two.

And Kidderminster’s other Worcestershire man, Neil Pinner, was caught behind by Anthony Parker off former Shelton paceman Sam Griffiths (2-37) for 19.

Spinner Elliot Green claimed 3-18 and Mike Barnard also played his part with 2-17, with opener Andy Kimberlin (57) the only man to offer any resistance as Kidderminster were well beaten.

“I was really pleased with how well we did because they had two first class cricketers playing for them,” added Ed Foster. “It was a massive game and we’ve put some real daylight between us.

“Everyone really turned it on and contributed to our score and then the bowlers did really well on a pretty flat track to bowl them out for 140.

“It was a really great effort and shows that we have got something special here.”

Steve Barnard

Shrewsbury snatch remarkable National KO victory

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

SHREWSBURY, who just never give up, grabbed an astonishing victory from the jaws of defeat to set up an exciting quarter final tie at home to West Indian Cavaliers in the quarter finals of the ECB National Club Championship.

Missing a host of first team regulars, the players drafted in to the side dug deep as allrounder Steve Barnard delivered a stunning display to seal a dramatic four run win over Northern Premier League Chorley.

It seemed a formality the Lancastrians would progress when, replying to the home side’s 168-8, they were coasting at 145-1 with plenty of time and wickets to play with.

But then Shrewsbury turned the screw, two runs outs in as many balls changing the entire complexion of the tie, and with Barnard and his brother Mike keeping it tight with the ball, Chorley somehow ended short of their target on 164-6.

“It was unbelievable,” admitted delighted captain Rob Foster, one of only four regulars in the team. “They were cruising the game but we just went up a gear in the field really, and Steve’s death bowling along with Mike’s was just outstanding.

“We just gave ourselves the best chance to get a result.

“I didn’t think it was possible at some points in the game until there were four overs to go. We were just outstanding.

“I keep saying to the lads the longer we stay in the game the more chance there is for us.

“The decision to bat first after winning the toss was purely because pressure cricket does funny things to people on days like this, as we saw.

“Chorley should really have won that game but they just imploded through the pressure built by ourselves.”

Steve Barnard, at No 6, cracked an unbeaten 51 to give the hosts a fighting chance as Shrewsbury made 168-8 from their 45 overs. Skipper Foster (38) and Will Parton (29) also contributed.

Chorley, in reply, were sell set thanks to openers David Fisher (54) and Andy Griffiths (43).

Ian Dickinson then added 36 but it was his departure, caught by Steve Leach off Mike Barnard (2-23), which changed the course of the game.

It was the cue for Shrewsbury, roared on by a vocal band of supporters watching from the pavilion balcony, to produce a grandstand finish.

Steve Barnard (1-25), fittingly, bowled the final over and held his nerve, his pace too much for the visiting batsmen to get away.

“Steve was probably the difference in the game,” added Foster. “His death bowling and his knock were superb.

“He’s really stepped up this year and has gone to another level which is really good to see.

“Our team included seven lads who have been in the second team at times this season but they all stepped up. The quality is there throughout for the club and it’s a great feeling to have everyone included and to keep winning.”

Foster’s men are now relishing their last eight tie against Nottingham-based West Indian Cavaliers at London Road on Sunday, August 4 with the visitors able to call on former Notts stars Usman Afzaal and Bilal Shafayat, until recently Shropshire’s pro.

Shrewsbury memorably beat star-studded Cavaliers on their way to becoming national champs in 2011.

Joe Leach

Leach brothers set up Wombourne victory

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

WOMBOURNE felt the full force of a Joe Leach masterclass as he and brother Steve both cracked fine centuries to send Shrewsbury 19 points clear at the top of the Birmingham Cricket League’s premier division.

Allrounder Joe, hoping to become a Worcestershire regular, enhanced his claims with another dazzling display with bat and ball as Shrewsbury romped to a convincing 157 run victory at the top flight’s bottom club.

Leach’s efforts were quickly rewarded as he was handed his Friends Life Twenty20 debut for the Pears the next day as he helped them beat Gloucestershire at New Road.

The runaway win sets Shrewsbury up perfectly for this weekend’s huge double header which sees them face two big games at London Road.

They host second-placed Kidderminster Victoria in the league on Saturday before welcoming Chorley in the last 16 of the ECB National Club Championship 24 hours later.

“Last weekend was probably as good as it gets,” said delighted Shrewsbury captain Rob Foster. “We were very good with the bat and followed it up with the ball.”

Joe hammered a whirlwind 131 and younger brother Steve carried his bat for an unbeaten 108, the siblings putting on 183 for the third wicket.

Skipper Foster also got in on the act with a rapid unbeaten half century, hammering 62 not out from just 30 balls, as Shrewsbury scored freely to rack up an imposing 340-3 from their 55 overs.

It was a stunning response from the London Roaders who were 63-2 at one stage having lost opener Ed Foster for four and Tom Cox for 23.

“Steve anchored the innings which is what we wanted after the last couple of weeks when we’ve lost early wickets,” said captain Foster. “He played very well and batted sensibly.

“That allowed Joe the freedom to come in and bat the way he did. He was outstanding again for us.”

Joe faced 97 balls for his 131, his top score for the club, as he struck five sixes and no fewer than 18 boundaries.

Steve, who also hopes to break through at Worcestershire, compiled his 108 from 151 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and two sixes as he reached three figures for the second time this summer.

Wombourne were then blown away for 183 with ultra consistent spinner Elliot Green taking 4-38 after strong opening spells from Joe Leach (2-23) and Steve Barnard (2-54).

Tom Meek hit a defiant 55 and Worcestershire’s Richard Jones made 31 but the Shrewsbury attack were always in control.

“Having Elliot in the side is great for a captain as he’s always going to take wickets,” said Foster. “Joe and Steve started it off by bowling really well to have them at 31-3.

“It was a very good all round performance.”

Rob Foster

Rob Foster excited about challenge ahead

By Stuart Dunn, @studunn21, at The Shrewsbury Chronicle

ROB FOSTER insists he’s excited at the challenge of trying to bring further success to his home town club after his appointment as Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s new captain was officially confirmed.

Foster, the Shropshire allrounder, was always likely to succeed his oolder brother Ed in the top job at London Road with his new role rubberstamped at the Birmingham League premier division club’s AGM.

“I will look to bring my own style to it but it’s an exciting challenge and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Foster, 25. “It is a big honour when you look at the calibre of players who have done it in the past.”

Foster will take charge of an exciting young side but is pleased there remains a sprinkling of more senior figures to offer support.

“I’m lucky that Ed’s still around and he’s been very influential in my career,” he said. “I’ll look to both Ed and some of the other senior players like Tom Cox and Joe Leach, and there’s also Trevor Sheperd in his role as cricket manager.”

Shrewsbury, Birmingham League champions in 2010 and National KO winners the following year, are keen to improve on last season when only a late revival enabled them to finish in the top half of the table.

“We finished sixth in the end which made it an acceptable season,” noted Foster. “We just want to improve on that. When we play well, we’re as a good as anyone.

“There were times last season when it was a bit frustrating and we didn’t play to our full potential. I just want us to do ourselves justice.”

Shrewsbury have snapped up big hitting Shropshire wicketkeeper batsman Anthony Parker from Shifnal, effectively to replace popular South African Ryan Bishop who will not be returning this year.

But Foster does not anticipate any more changes to his talented first team squad.

“I don’t think we’ll be actively recruiting for anyone else,” he said. “When everyone’s available it’s quite hard to pick a first team.

“If you jot down our squad it looks pretty strong.

“A couple of the younger players like Henry Blofield and Tom Ellis will also be added to the first team mix this year.”

It’s not only the first team captaincy which has changed hands at Shrewsbury for there are also new skippers for the club’s second and third teams.

Chris Sheperd, the former Wellington batsman, is now in charge of the 2nd XI as Mike Pym is now working in London while
Steve Carless has taken over as 3rd XI captain once again, succeeding Doug Reynolds in the role.

Shrewsbury begin pre-season nets at Shrewsbury School on Sunday, January 20.

Ed Foster

Shrewsbury take Club title

The 2011 ECB National Club Championship Final was a fantastic advert for club cricket, with Shrewsbury beating Cambridge Granta in the final over, Shrewsbury captain Ed Foster scoring an unbeaten 98 to guide his team to victory.

Losing the toss and put in to bat at the County Ground in Derby, Granta made a solid 220 for eight from their 45 overs, with Alex Fullarton leading the scoring with 87 not out from 114 balls.

Craig Park was the mainstay of a third wicket stand of 65 with Fullarton, cracking 45 of them from just 31 balls, including five fours and one six; but two wickets apiece from Mike Barnard, Rob Foster and Elliot Green kept the Cambridge total in check.

It was Shrewsbury skipper Foster that was to play the master innings of the day though, carrying his bat and finishing two short of a century to steer his side over the winning line with two balls of the match to spare; Rob Foster’s 39, 26 from Joe Leach and 23 from Tom Cox helping Salop to a famous three-wicket triumph.