Wem, the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League leaders, are at full strength for Saturday’s big home game against fellow high fliers Newport with the promising Chris Peel making a timely return.
Peel missed last weekend’s convincing win at Quatt – in which skipper Bryan Jones led from the front with an unbeaten century – but goes straight back into the side to replace Mike Griffiths.
Wem’s team manager Martin Gaunt said everyone at the Kynaston Ground was looking forward to Saturday’s crunch clash against a Newport side he holds in high regard.
The Audley Avenue outfit were relegated from the Birmingham League at the end of last season but have recently started to hit top form with their prolific Indian professional Aditya Jain already cracking more than 700 runs this term.
“He’ll be a big wicket for us to target,” said Gaunt.
“I said at the start of the season that anyone who finishes above Newport would have a great chance of winning the league and I stand by that.
“There are three or four more sides who would probably put themselves up as challengers in Quatt, Much Wenlock and, with the start they’ve made, Madeley as well, but having just come down from the Birmingham League Newport are a strong side, particularly with their pro.”
Gaunt, though, is quick to highlight Wem’s own qualities which came to the fore once more last weekend as Quatt were blitzed by 85 runs in their own back yard.
“We’re at full strength, we’re playing well and the bowlers really bowled as a good unit again at Quatt,” he added.
“Bryan batted very well again and he’s very difficult to get out.
“He’s taken on as his role that he wants to bat all the way through and that gives people at the other end the freedom to play.”
by Stuart Dunn