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Sam Ellis quickly back in familiar surroundings as Shropshire open new season

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Promising all-rounder Sam Ellis will make a quick return to Whitchurch after being named in the Shropshire side for Sunday’s two opening group matches against Berkshire in the Unicorns Twenty20 competition.

Ellis joined Shrewsbury from Whitchurch during the winter, stepping up to play in the Birmingham League premier division, and will be back in familiar surroundings at Heath Road.

Ross Aucott, Shropshire’s new Twenty20 captain, leads a side which includes his former Shifnal team mate Charlie Home, who made his return for the county in last weekend’s T20 warm up matches against Staffordshire.

Shifnal all-rounder Chad Brandrick, another player to feature in the friendly against Staffordshire, is set to make his competitive debut for Shropshire.

There will also be a first competitive appearance for the county for Alex Phillips, a wicketkeeper-batsman, but Charlie Hartley, another new signing, is ruled out owing to a broken finger which could sideline him for up to eight weeks.

Bridgnorth’s Sam Whitney also misses out owing to a foot injury.

The first of Sunday’s two T20 matches with Berkshire will start at 11am, with a second match to follow in the afternoon.

Shropshire are also in T20 action 24 hours later on Bank Holiday Monday when they will face Oxfordshire at Oxford’s Magdalen College.

Shropshire: Ross Aucott (captain), Omar Ali, Alex Phillips, Alexei Kervezee, Joe Carrasco, Craig Heath, Jack Edwards, Sam Ellis, Charlie Home, Chad Brandrick, Jack Twigger.

Pictured: Whitchurch’s Heath Road ground will host Shropshire’s Twenty20 fixture against Berkshire on Sunday.