Shropshire begin their 2026 NCCA season against Cumbria in the newly-named NV Play National Counties Trophy at Bridgnorth Cricket Club on Sunday (11am).
Tom Fell, deputising for injured captain Charlie Home, will lead Shropshire in their opening group game in the 50-over competition, with the county having good memories of last season’s impressive Trophy run which saw them win six matches in a row before eventually losing to Dorset in the final.
After this weekend’s group opener against Cumbria, Shropshire will face Cambridgeshire at Shifnal the following Sunday, ahead of Trophy trips to Cheshire and Suffolk as they look to qualify for the knockout stages.
Dave Cartledge, Shropshire’s new team manager, said: “I’m encouraged with what I’ve seen. I’ve spent time watching people and we have very talented batters and equally talented bowlers. The pre-season game against Worcestershire Academy last weekend got us on the field and got us bowling and batting on grass.”
As the countdown continues to the Cumbria game, he added: “We’ve got to be on our mettle and not waste any opportunity that comes our way.”
Consistent Wellington all-rounder Matt Simmonds returns to the Shropshire side for the first time since the 2023 season, while Warwickshire and England under-19 all-rounder Theo Wylie, who made his debut in the same year, will also line up against Cumbria.
Struck a century
Three players will make their first National Counties appearances for Shropshire. Opener Joe Johnson, who struck a century in last Sunday’s win over Worcestershire Academy, is joined in the team to face Cumbria by former Leicestershire and Glamorgan all-rounder Roman Walker, who also impressed last weekend, while seamer Clark Haddrell has been selected for his Shropshire debut.
Home said: “Matt Simmonds hasn’t played for a couple of years, but I had a chat with him during the winter and he expressed a keenness to get back involved and play. It’s really nice to have him in the side because he’s a fantastic cricketer with both bat and ball.
“He also knows Bridgnorth, this weekend’s venue, very well having played there for a number of years in the Birmingham League.
“Theo Wylie went to Shrewsbury School and was playing for Shifnal when he signed his first professional contract with Warwickshire, so he’s spent a lot of time playing cricket in Shropshire. For him to want to come back and play for us is great, so we’re really pleased to have him in the side.
“Clark Haddrell played for Leicestershire’s 2nd XI last year. He’s a tall, quick bowler who hits the pitch hard, so we’re very excited to have him in the team.
“We’ve got a very strong side and the wider group is also very strong as well, so we’re in a good position. We’ve got good seam options, good spin options and good depth with the batting.”
Admission is free for spectators to attend Sunday’s match at Bridgnorth’s Cricket Meadow ground.
Shropshire: Joe Johnson (Shifnal), Harry Chandler (Wem), Tom Fell (Shifnal, captain), Andre Bradford (Hallam), Theo Wylie (Milford Hall), Roman Walker (Leicester Ivanhoe), Matt Simmonds (Wellington), Clark Haddrell (Milford Hall), Ben Lees (Shifnal, wicketkeeper), Joe Stanley (Wolverhampton), Ben Roberts (Shifnal).
Pictured: Roman Walker, the former Leicestershire and Glamorgan all-rounder, is in the Shropshire team for Sunday’s NV Play National Counties Trophy match against Cumbria.