Local lad Adam Shantry insists the sky’s the limit after overcoming his injury problems to become an eye-catching regular wicket taker for Glamorgan in the County Championship.
Injuries have continually hampered the former Priory School pupil during his first class cricket career which has also taken in spells with Northants and Warwickshire. But the left-arm seamer is now finally reaping the rewards for his dedication having taken 17 wickets for the Welsh county in the last five Championship matches.
He credits his team-mate Jason Gillespie, the Australian international star, for helping him to conquer his injury problems, and now Shantry’s hungry for more success.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been for a long time and hopefully the sky’s the limit for me,” he said. “I was probably as unhappy as I’ve ever been throughout my cricket career earlier this season and was starting to think that maybe it just wasn’t destined to be.
“But I stuck at it and got in the team and now I want to stay there.
“I’ve got 17 wickets at an average of 18 – and if I could get 30 before the end of the season that would be a dream. We’ve got three games to go as we’re currently playing Worcestershire and then face Leicestershire and Warwickshire, my old club.”
Shantry, 25, was quick to pay tribute to the roles played in his renaissance by team-mate Gillespie and Glamorgan coach Matthew Maynard. “Jason’s been a great help and has shown me how to prepare for games. He’s also given me a special routine which has helped me recover from injury.”
All of Shantry’s victims this season have been top six batsmen and they include a string of internationals such as Essex’s Grant Flower, Derbyshire’s Chris Rogers and Middlesex’s Ed Joyce.
“My favourite wicket so far was my first, seven balls into my Glamorgan career,” he said. “It was a classic left-armer’s wicket to get rid of Jason Gallian at Essex.”
Shantry hasn’t looked back since that dream debut at Southend which saw him claim five wickets in a Glamorgan victory.
He has relished becoming a vital cog in the club’s attack and is delighted to have been given a run of games.
“Glamorgan have shown a lot of faith and the ball’s been swinging a lot for me,” said Shantry, who made a flying visit back to Shrewsbury earlier this week.
Shantry added he was pleased to see Reman Services, his former club, crowned Marston’s Shropshire Premier League champions last weekend.
He also has his fingers crossed that Saturday will bring good news for his younger brother Jack, a key part of the Shrewsbury side hoping to clinch promotion to the top flight of the Birmingham League.