Excited skipper Ed Foster is gearing up for a big weekend which could see Shrewsbury seal promotion to the top flight of the Birmingham Cricket League – and also get their hands on the Chronicle Twenty20 KO trophy.
Leaders Shrewsbury know victory in their penultimate game of the season at Attock on Saturday could be enough to assure them of a top two place, particularly with Bromsgrove and Stratford, their closest challengers at the top of division one, facing each other.
The London Roaders also have a big game on Sunday as they meet Newport in the Chronicle KO final at Madeley CC (12.30pm).
Foster is relishing the challenge ahead and insists there’s no danger of any of his players taking anything for granted with so much at stake.
“Attock are a dangerous side who have got some big hitters who can score quickly,” said Foster. “On paper if we win convincingly there we could wrap it up this weekend, depending on results elsewhere.
“We would love to do it with a week to spare and we want to go up as champions, but we’re focusing on the Attock game first.”
Shrewsbury will be boosted by the return of their contracted paceman Tom Allin, who was 12th man for Warwickshire this week, after a groin injury.
Foster will make a late decision on who will make way but is delighted to have Allin back on board even though the Shrewsbury attack have coped well in his absence.
“Mike Barnard’s stepped up to the plate and has done exceptionally well,” said Foster.
“But it will be nice to welcome back Tom as he’s played a big role for us this season.”
While the Attock game is dominating his thoughts, Foster admitted he also had one eye on Sunday’s Chronicle KO final against lower division Newport.
“We’ll be the favourites but it doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed or in the bag,” he said.
Tom Somerville, Steve Barnard and Alex Blofield will be added to the 12-man squad named for the Attock game, but Allin will not play in Sunday’s final.
SHREWSBURY (v Attock) from: E. Foster, D. Rees, R. O’Connell, R. Foster, J. Shantry, J. Anders, J. Gale, J. Brydon, D. Manders, M. Barnard, E. Green, T. Allin.