Exclusive by Stuart Dunn
New Shrewsbury signing Wes Robinson
Ambitious Shrewsbury have clinched the highest profile signing in the club’s history after swooping for Western Australian state star Wes Robinson as their overseas professional for the 2009 season.
Allrounder Robinson – who hit 141 against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval last month – will bring proven quality to a youthful Shrewsbury squad preparing for their return to the premier division of the Birmingham and District Cricket League.
Shrewsbury skipper Ed Foster said he was delighted to secure Robinson’s services as an exciting replacement for Reece O’Connell who enjoyed two good seasons as the club’s overseas man.
Robinson, who celebrates his 28th birthday on Boxing Day, has opened the batting for the Western Warriors in each of their three state games this season against Queensland, South Australia and this week Victoria.
He is also renowned as an accurate left-arm swing bowler who will pep up a Shrewsbury attack which has recently been stripped of county paceman Jack Shantry.
“I’m absolutely chuffed to bits that we’ve managed to sign Wes,” enthused captain Foster.
“It’s great that we’re bringing a relatively high profile player in, not just for the club but also for the town of Shrewsbury.
“I knew Wes when I played over in Perth last year for Claremont Nedlands, a club we’ve developed close links with.
“He was the captain at Claremont and I’ve stayed in touch with him and followed his career.
“The nice thing is he approached us about coming over as Shrewsbury have a good reputation as a club in Perth.
“He’s a very good player and he should fit in perfectly.
“We just hope he stays injury free now and he should be with us in April.”
Robinson has long been regarded as one of the most prolific batsmen in Perth grade cricket, winning the coveted Olly Cooley medal for the best and fairest player in the Retravision Shield last year as he scored 991 runs at 61.9 and was also a reliable wicket taker.
At the same time he also enjoyed a successful season with Western Australia’s second XI, averaging 64.5 with the bat, a return which ensured he was rewarded with his first state contract for the current campaign Down Under.
He has quickly become a regular in the WACA-based star-studded side and has relished lining up alongside and against a string of Australian international aces.
He took two wickets on his state debut against Queensland and followed it up with an excellent knock of 141 at South Australia in only his third First Class innings.
As excited as he is to have captured Robinson, Foster was quick to pay tribute to the efforts of towering allrounder O’Connell for his contribution over the last two seasons as Shrewsbury’s overseas man.
“He was a bit disappointed when I spoke to him but he said he wasn’t surprised,” added Foster.
“He’s been brilliant for us and his stats are superb.”
Robinson is the third overseas player to join Shrewsbury from Claremont Nedlands following on from Campbell Robertson and O’Connell, although the previous two have never played state cricket like the London Road new boy.