Shrewsbury cricketer Jack Shantry is targeting an extended run in the Worcestershire side after being called up for the County Championship clash against Surrey.
Shantry, who has just returned to his home town club as the contracted player at London Road, was rewarded for a stunning display in his first senior match of the season for Worcestershire with a place in the side for the match with star-studded Surrey which started yesterday.
Shantry, 22, claimed remarkable match figures of 12-65 from 35 overs as he helped Worcestershire wrap up an easy win over Bradford/Leeds MCCU last weekend.
After taking 5-18 in the first innings, the former Priory School pupil was even more deadly second time around in claiming 7-47.
“They’re my best figures in a match although I took 7-34 for Worcestershire’s 2nd XI once,” said left-armer Shantry. “It was nice to repay the faith shown in me by coach Steve Rhodes and he’s someone who picks people not on reputation but on merit. I’m hungry for more wickets now. I want to seize my chance and make myself undroppable.”
Shantry, who also played locally for Perkins, made an exciting breakthrough to the first class game towards the end of last season, joining his elder brother Adam, the Glamorgan seamer, in becoming a professional cricketer.
He’s enjoying life at Worcester where he rents a house with Shrewsbury team mate Joe Leach, who is on a summer contract at New Road, but he’s also keen to play Birmingham League cricket for Shrewsbury when he gets the chance after rejoining the club after a season with Walsall.
“I can’t wait to play for Shrewsbury,” added Shantry. “A few clubs offered to pay me to play for them, but I would much rather play with my friends at Shrewsbury.”
By Stuart Dunn
