Promising paceman Tom Allin, who hopes to help Shrewsbury step up their promotion challenge this weekend, has been tipped to enjoy a successful career in First Class cricket by former England ace Ashley Giles.
Allin, set to play his fourth game for Shrewsbury in Saturday’s home clash against fellow Birmingham League first division high fliers Bromsgrove, is the first Warwickshire contracted player to ever be allocated to the London Roaders.
Skipper Ed Foster is delighted how the former Devon Minor Counties man has fitted in at Shrewsbury, bolstering an already strong bowling attack.
But if Allin fulfils the hopes of ex-England spinner Giles, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, there’s every chance the 20-year-old will be starring at Edgbaston instead of for Shrewsbury before too long.
Giles believes Allin has “all the attributes” to carve out a successful career with the county after signing a two-year deal with the Bears at the start of this season.
“He was one of those players who, from ball one, you thought had something,” said Giles. “The impressive thing was he pitched the ball up, whereas in the indoor school it is always tempting to pitch short because the ball flies through.
“He has all the attributes you look for. He hits the bat hard, will get stronger and quicker yet, and can hold a bat too.”
Foster, meanwhile, is pleased to be able to name the same side who picked up an impressive winning draw at leaders Old Hill last weekend for Saturday’s tussle with Bromsgrove.
“It was just a shame we couldn’t get 24 points out of it but it was a brilliant performance,” said Foster.
“We had a losing draw at Bromsgrove earlier in the season and didn’t play well. They’re a decent side but their best batsman Kervezee, who’s with Worcestershire, is out injured which is good news for us.
“They’ve got a useful Pakistani leg spinner but it’s not up to us to worry about the opposition as, on paper, we’re the best team in the division.”
Foster hopes Australian allrounder Reece O’Connell – who last weekend took his 100th league wicket in a season and a half with the club – can continue his fine form with bat and ball.
SHREWSBURY: E. Foster, D. Rees, R. O’Connell, R. Foster, J. Shantry, W. Merrick, J. Gale, D. Manders, J. Brydon, T. Allin, M. Barnard.