Shropshire captain Charlie Home wants his side to build on this week’s impressive NCCA Cluberly Championship victory over Wales when they head to Nantwich to face Cheshire this weekend.
The Shropshire team selected for the three-day match, which starts on Sunday (11am), shows two changes as Joe Johnson, who has been given an opportunity to play List A cricket by Sussex, and Warrick Fynn are both unavailable.
Former Worcestershire batter Tom Fell, who missed his first Shropshire match of the season against Wales, returns, while top order batter Will Tarrant, who made his Shropshire debut in last July’s Championship match against Dorset at Wimborne, will make his first appearance of the season for the county.
Home said: “Starting the three-day season off with a loss at Cornwall was disappointing, but to turn it around against Wales was a fantastic effort and result, and the aim is to go into the Cheshire game and the one after that against Dorset and try and get positive results out of those as well and see where it puts us.
“It’s nice to have Felly back after he was unavailable for the last game. Will Tarrant played for us in a game last year. He’s having a fantastic year for Berkswell in the Birmingham League. I believe he’s also played a couple of second-team games for Derbyshire this season, so it’s great to have him involved and hopefully he can continue his good run of form for us.”
Johnson made his Metro Bank One Day Cup debut for Sussex against Essex at Arundel on Wednesday, making 21 as Sussex won, just 24 hours after hitting 64 for Shropshire as they closed in on victory against Wales at Bridgnorth. He had previously played a number of 2nd XI games for Sussex earlier this season.
Progress to professional cricket
Home, who is also a Shifnal team mate of Johnson’s, is pleased that the top order batter is the latest Shropshire player to progress to professional cricket.
“When Joe signed for us, his intention was very clear that he wanted to go and play cricket full time,” said Home. “He was someone we identified that was good enough to do that and it’s great to see him going on to higher honours. We wish him all the very best and hopefully Shropshire’s played some part in helping him do that.”
Home also praised the contribution of Roman Walker to the victory over Wales, with the former Glamorgan and Leicestershire all-rounder taking 8-44 in the first innings, the fifth best bowling figures ever achieved by a Shropshire player in Championship cricket.
Skipper Home added: “Roman’s got a close affiliation with Shropshire and a number of the lads in the side having played for Oswestry for a number of years. He’s been great to have in the dressing room, he’s a very positive character, and his insight, having played a lot of years of professional cricket, is great for me as a captain.
“He’s a fantastic cricketer and I was absolutely chuffed for him with that performance. It’s great to have him back fit and playing for us as he’s a match-winner.”
Shropshire: Finn Jones (Shrewsbury), Harry Chandler (Wem), Tom Fell (Shifnal), Will Tarrant (Berkswell), Seb Scott (Shrewsbury), Charlie Home (captain, Shifnal), Roman Walker (Leicester Ivanhoe), Ben Lees (Shifnal), Joe Stanley (Wolverhampton), Ben Roberts (Shifnal), George McCormick (Bowdon).
Pictured: Joe Johnson, who hit 64 as Shropshire closed in on victory over Wales at Bridgnorth earlier this week, is unavailable for the county’s Championship trip to Cheshire after being given the chance to play for Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.