Shropshire are looking forward to welcoming first-class neighbours Worcestershire to Worfield Cricket Club next Tuesday for this year’s NCCA Showcase Game.
The 50 overs per side contest will start at 11am, with free entry for spectators.
Showcase fixtures provide National Counties clubs with an opportunity to play against a first-class county.
Shropshire have previously faced Derbyshire at Shifnal and Yorkshire at Wellington in Showcase Games, as well as Worcestershire at Shrewsbury in 2023, a match abandoned at the halfway stage owing to rain.
Tom Fell, a former Worcestershire player, will captain Shropshire against the Pears.
“It’s a good opportunity to play against Worcestershire,” said Ed Ashlin, Shropshire’s first-team coach. “We’ve got a good mix in our side, including some younger lads, so it will be good experience for them to pit their wits against some quality players.
“We expect the Worcestershire team to be a mixture of professionals and academy players.
Location
“It’s always nice to play at Worfield and they look after us well. They’ve got a really hard-working group of volunteers who put a lot in and hopefully it will be a nice day, so it’s one we are looking forward to.
“In terms of location, it also works well for Worcestershire, so hopefully there will be a few people there watching and enjoying what should be a good day’s cricket.”
Shropshire’s 12 includes Wellington seamer Ollie Smith, who will bowl but not bat, while Shifnal batter Ollie Parton is involved for the first time this season.
Ashlin added: “Ollie Parton’s at Durham University so early season his availability is a bit more tricky, but he will be around more now.
“He’s come through the Shropshire pathway and we can see some good things with him.
“He played in the Championship last season and I remember a game at Bridgnorth when he batted really well and nearly got a 50, so we look forward to having him back in the side.”
Shropshire: Joe Johnson (Shifnal), Harry Chandler (Wem), Tom Fell (Shifnal, captain), Ollie Parton (Shifnal), Connor Marshall (Sandiacre Town), Cameron Jones (Himley), Morgan Ward (Wellington), Joe Stanley (Wolverhampton), Anis Raza (Leek), Sam Wisniewski (Wakefield Thornes), Ravan Chahal (Worfield), Ollie Smith (Wellington).
Pictured: Worfield Cricket Club will be the venue for Shropshire’s NCCA Showcase Game against Worcestershire next Tuesday, July 7.