Australian paceman Paul Donaldson goes straight into the Shrewsbury side for Saturday’s opening game of the cricket season at Kenilworth Wardens in the Graham Williamson Trophy.
Donaldson arrived from Perth earlier this week and skipper Ed Foster is looking forward to having him on board for the first time in the 40 overs per side contest.
A Shrewsbury win will earn them a home tie against Dorridge or Bridgnorth the following weekend.
“It will be good for Paul to have a run out and it’s great that he’s here two weeks before the league season starts to give him a bit of time to settle in,” said Foster.
“We’re all looking forward to getting started and most of the lads had two days away in Cardiff last weekend for Jon Anders’s stag do, which was good for team bonding. I’m pleased with the side we’re able to put out on Saturday and it’s a pretty strong one.”
Mike Barnard is absent as he’s set to make his first class debut for Oxford University against Hampshire, Jack Shantry is on Worcestershire duty against Bradford/Leeds UCCE and opening bat Ryan Bishop, who struck 66 against Somerset at Taunton last weekend, is again playing for Cardiff University.
Shrewsbury open their Birmingham Cricket League premier division season at home to Walsall on May 1.
SHREWSBURY 1st XI: E. Foster, W. Parton, R. Foster, J. Leach, T. Cox, D. Manders, J. Anders, P. Donaldson, S. Sherwin, E. Green, G. Gibbons.
By Stuart Dunn