As the countdown continues to Sunday’s NCCA Trophy final, it brings back many memories of Shropshire’s previous appearances in one-day finals, particularly 2010 when Shropshire emerged as winners.
Sunday’s 50-over final against Dorset at Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club will be Shropshire’s sixth one-day final since the competition was launched in 1983.
The highlight undoubtedly came 15 years ago in Chester-le-Street at the home of Durham County Cricket Club when Ed Foster lifted the trophy for Shropshire following victory over Lincolnshire by seven wickets.
Skipper Foster led the way with an unbeaten 95 as he shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 139 with future Worcestershire captain Joe Leach (67no) as Shropshire chased well to progress to 251-3.
Mark Downes earlier took 2-48 as Lincolnshire posted 249-6 from their 50 overs.
Shropshire’s first three one-day final appearances came at Lord’s.
Norfolk provided the opposition in 1997 as Shropshire made their Lord’s debut. Norfolk opener Carl Rogers hit an unbeaten 119 as Norfolk accumulated 279-4, with Adam Byram claiming 2-42.
Returned to Lord’s
Shropshire, in reply, ended 52 runs short as they were bowled out for 227, Mark Davies top scoring with 48.
Shropshire returned to Lord’s the following year to face Devon, with the south west county winning by eight wickets.
Matt Turner struck 36 as Shropshire made 201-9, before Devon responded with 204-2, as Adam Shimmons took 2-55.
It was back to Lord’s for Shropshire in 2003, a final which Cambridgeshire won by three wickets.
Half centuries from Steve Adshead and Mark Downes lifted the Shropshire total up to 266-9. Shimmons then claimed 3-61 as Cambridgeshire advanced to 267-7 with 13 balls remaining.
Shropshire’s most recent appearance in the one-day final came 12 years ago at Wormsley, a match won by Berkshire by 128 runs.
Richard Morris hit 112 in Berkshire’s 284-9, with Ed Foster (3-42) and long-serving Northamptonshire seamer Ben Sanderson (2-48) among the wickets for Shropshire.
Chris Murtagh top scored with 45 as Shropshire were bowled out for 156.
Pictured: Shropshire celebrate victory in the 2010 MCCA Trophy final after beating Lincolnshire at the home of Durham CCC.