Ed Foster has backed his Shrewsbury side to put the disappointment of losing top spot in the Birmingham Cricket League’s first division behind them to stay on course for promotion at Cannock on Saturday.
Foster had hoped the London Roaders would strengthen their position with a home double header over the Bank Holiday weekend. But, having had to settle for a winning draw in a rain-affected clash with Wellington, Shrewsbury were then beaten by a Harborne side inspired by New Zealand international paceman Ian Butler.
Shrewsbury now find themselves 14 points adrift of new leaders Bromsgrove but, significantly, remain 14 ahead of third-placed Stratford.
Shrewsbury’s two main promotion rivals also have to play each other over the final three weeks of the season, which is good news for Foster’s men. “We’re still in a great position,” said Foster.
“It’s still in our own hands and it’s ours to throw away. We’ve still got a little bit of a cushion over Stratford so it’s up to us to play as well as we have all season, aside from Monday against Harborne.”
Foster had no complaints about the surprise setback against Harborne but was disappointed the weather conspired to deny his team victory over Wellington.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get maximum points from that game,” he said. “We only needed to get three more wickets in about 25 overs before the rain came so we were big favourites.
“Then Harborne have got a Test bowler in Butler who takes six wickets for nothing from one end so it’s very hard to compete.”
Shrewsbury have to make a couple of chances for Saturday’s trip to Cannock with young spinner Elliot Green coming in for the unavailable Alex Blofield while Foster hopes ex-Shropshire allrounder Jon Anders will be able to replace Wayne Merrick who will miss the last three games of the season.
“It’s a big blow to be without Wayne for the rest of the season,” said Foster. “He’s always very calm and as he’s a bit older than most of the lads he’s good to have in the side.
“He always bats with a lot of maturity and has played some good innings coming in at No 6 for us.”
Foster had hoped contracted Warwickshire paceman Tom Allin would return after missing the last two games but it’s likely the Edgbaston medical staff will continue to want him to rest his groin strain.
“If Tom’s fit then he will play but at the moment it doesn’t look like he will be able to,” said Foster.
“It would be nice to have him in the side but young Michael Barnard really stepped up to the plate with three wickets against both Wellington and Harborne while Jack Shantry bowled as well as he always does.”
As for Cannock, Foster added: “They’ve got a couple of decent seamers so although we beat them comfortably earlier this season we’ll be taking nothing for granted.
“But there’s no reason why we can’t come away with the points we want if we play as well as we can.”
SHREWSBURY: E. Foster, D. Rees, R. O’Connell, R. Foster, J. Shantry, J. Anders, D. Manders, J. Gale, J. Brydon, M. Barnard, E. Green.
