Ollie Westbury described Shropshire’s excellent win at Wiltshire which lifted them to the top of the Western Division Two table in the NCCA Championship as “a really, really pleasing couple of days.”
Opening batter Westbury led the way with a fine 161 in the first innings – the highest score ever made by a Shropshire player against Wiltshire – during the 10-wicket success at South Wilts CC in Salisbury.
Westbury, perhaps fittingly, was also back in the middle as Shropshire raced to their victory target in their second innings to wrap up an impressive win inside two productive days.
“Obviously, it was nice to get a few runs,” said Westbury. “I probably haven’t contributed as much as I would have liked over the course of the season so far, so to get a few, I suppose, is really pleasing from a personal perspective.”
It also proved a memorable match for Shropshire captain Charlie Home, who took nine wickets overall, and his fellow spinner Joe Stanley, who claimed six wickets in the home side’s second innings, as he once again enjoyed himself at Wiltshire’s expense.
The teenage off-spinner took 9-83 in the first innings of the Championship game against Wiltshire at Whitchurch last August, although Stanley ultimately ended on the losing side on that occasion.
But this time he and Home – the skipper ended with eye-catching match figures of 9-56 from 16 overs at South Wilts – played the starring roles with the ball for Shropshire.
“Full credit to Charlie in the first innings and Joe,” added Westbury. “Stanners bowled absolutely beautifully.
“Ollie Currill taking two of their best players out early, he gets them two down. We probably leaked a little bit more than we would have liked, but the spinners on a wicket that didn’t really spin that much, to be able to take 20 wickets the way that we have, it’s hard in this cricket.
“They’re long days and Stanners, fair play to him, that’s the second time against Wiltshire that he’s kind of ran through them as he did it last year as well.
“But he bowled absolutely beautifully, tossed the ball up and beat the batters on both edges.
Removed the home side’s top three batters
“Charlie, too, another good bowling display from him, got some good players out, so I think ultimately for us it’s just been a really, really pleasing couple of days.”
Wiltshire elected to bat on day one and were going along well at 162-2 before they started to lose wickets regularly to be dismissed for 240.
Seamer Ben Roberts (3-36) removed the home side’s top three batters, including opener Dylan Church, the top scorer with 61, and also Jake Goodwin for 48.
Home, returning to captain Shropshire after being unavailable for the two previous matches, then took centre stage to take 7-23 from six overs.
Shropshire established a 108-run advantage at the halfway stage after replying with 348-5.
Westbury was in fine touch as he struck 161 from 265 balls, with 13 fours.
He put on 151 for the second wicket with his former Worcestershire team mate Tom Fell (78), before sharing in a third-wicket partnership of 125 with Andre Bradford (61).
All-rounder Currill also contributed with the bat by adding an unbeaten 30.
Wiltshire’s second innings saw the hosts bowled out for 165 inside 40 overs, with captain Ed Young hitting 75.
Stanley inflicted much of the damage, helping himself to 6-46 from 13.1 overs, with Currill (2-16) and Home (2-35) also playing their part.
Shropshire then eased to their victory target as openers Peter Clark (36no) and Westbury (21no) guided them to 58-0 from half a dozen overs to seal a notable win with more than a day to spare.
Shropshire will next meet Wales, who also have 34 points from their two opening Championship matches this season, in a three-day match which starts at Bridgnorth on Sunday.
Pictured: Ollie Westbury hit an excellent 161 for Shropshire in the first innings against Wiltshire.