Shrewsbury have added the finishing touches to their new-look squad as the countdown continues to their return to the top flight of the Birmingham and District Cricket League.
Skipper Ed Foster has swooped to sign highly rated young batsman-wicketkeeper Will Parton from neighbours Wellington and has also drafted in South African-born opening batsman Ryan Bishop, the club’s third Cardiff University Academy player.
Foster is delighted with the double capture and expects it to be the end of a busy winter of recruitment.
Seven new faces have been enticed to the county town club, headed by the arrival of Western Australian state star Wes Robinson as promoted Shrewsbury’s new overseas professional.
But one man who will not be joining is Herefordshire’s Minor Counties allrounder David Exall who has instead opted to join lower division Bridgnorth after Kington, his former club, resigned from the Birmingham League.
“That’s the end of the signings as far as I’m aware and there’s nothing else on the horizon,” said Foster. “I’m happy with what we’ve done and I just hope everyone stays fit.”
Foster had been searching for a wicketkeeper since last year’s first choice glovesman Jack Brydon opted to move to London, and in signing Parton and Bishop he has landed two men who can do the job.
Teenager Parton, son of former Shropshire batsman Tony, is expected to start the season as keeper, with Foster pleased to have him on board.
“He’s played a fair amount of first team cricket at Wellington and he played well against us at Shrewsbury last season,” said Foster. “He struck a determined 40 when we had them on the rack and he made it clear he wanted to come to Shrewsbury.
“He knows Elliot Green quite well as they’ve come through the junior county sides together and I would imagine he’ll keep for us at the start of the season.
“His dad was a very good player and Will’s been looking good in the nets. He’s another young lad which fits in with our ethos.”
Foster also has high hopes for free- scoring opener Bishop, who is friends with his brother Rob and Tom Allin, Shrewsbury’s contracted Warwickshire professional, at Cardiff University.
“Rob raves about Ryan and a few of my friends on the university circuit also speak highly of him,” said the skipper. “He was born in South Africa but is English qualified. He scored an unbeaten 90 against Northants last year and I’m hoping he’ll be available for two thirds of the season. He played club cricket in London last year but wanted a new challenge and was keen to play alongside Rob and Tom Allin.”
Shrewsbury’s first game of the season will be at West Bromwich Dartmouth in the Graham Williamson KO on April 18 with new overseas ace Robinson flying in from Perth a few days later, fresh from averaging nearly 40 in the Sheffield Shield with Western Australia. “I had an email from Wes this week and he’s really keen,” added Foster. “I just hope he can maintain his good form over here.”