Ed Foster has been cleared to spearhead Shrewsbury’s promotion challenge in the Birmingham Cricket League first division this season by his new county Leicestershire.
The London Roaders had been anxiously waiting to find out whether Foster would be able to captain Shrewsbury after the opening batsman signed an initial three-month contract at Grace Road.
But Shrewsbury, who have also agreed a deal for Australian allrounder Reece O’Connell to return for a second season, are delighted to have been told that Foster will be able to skipper them after all.
They were a little concerned that Foster’s First Class commitments might lead to them having to look elsewhere for a captain.
But Foster, who has just returned from a successful winter playing grade cricket for Claremont Nedlands in Western Australia, was always their first choice.
“At the moment Leicestershire have said that Ed can play Saturday club cricket,” said chairman Andy Barnard. “Whether that’s every Saturday, I’m not quite sure, but he was at nets last Sunday and he’s looking forward to the season.
“We were a little bit concerned about it so we’re very relieved it’s been resolved.”
Question marks had also surrounded the issue of who Shrewsbury’s overseas pro for this year would be.
O’Connell, a big hit last summer, was always top of the club’s wish list, and now the man from Perth has been given the all clear to return. “We’ll possibly get 18 games out of him,” said Barnard.
The chairman added Shrewsbury had not been able to entice any new players to the club – “We don’t go round chasing people” – but he’s pleased they have managed to hold on to all of their highly-rated youngsters.
“That’s the most important thing,” he said. “Jack Shantry and Rob Foster have had offers but they understand it’s not about short-term cash in hand.
“If anything we should have a stronger look to the squad this year as James Gale’s going to be playing a full season. We missed him for the second half of last season when he was in Australia. Wayne Merrick is also back after a knee operation.”