Skipper Ed Foster has set his sights on a top four place as Shrewsbury prepare to host Walsall on the opening day of the Birmingham Cricket League premier division season on Saturday (noon).
The London Roaders are looking to build on last season’s impressive campaign which saw them finish sixth and also reach the semi-finals of the National KO.
And with Australian new boy Paul Donaldson already among the wickets in two early season cup victories, Foster is hoping Shrewsbury will hit the ground running and shrug off their reputation as slow starters.
“If we can improve on sixth place, I’ll be delighted,” said Foster. “A top four place would be great but a lot of it depends on how we start.
“We’re always stronger in the second half of seasons when we have greater availability and we were undefeated in the second half last year so the first 10 games will determine how well we do. I don’t think at this stage we’re title contenders but we’ve got some good young players.”
Donaldson, a towering paceman, has quickly settled in and hinted at his potential by taking four wickets in last weekend’s Graham Williamson Trophy triumph against Dorridge.
“He’s settled in really well and he’s a nice lad who gets on with everyone,” said Foster. “Getting five wickets for the club so quickly has made it easier for him and he can bowl sharp and can certainly hurry people on their way.
“He’s not as high profile as Wes Robinson. We want Paul to do well and enjoy his cricket. We’re not looking for him to be the major stand-out performer – if he is then great – but he fits into our ethos well.”
Foster added he was not currently expecting to have contracted Worcestershire ace Jack Shantry available as much as he had thought given the local lad has gained an early season place in the first team at New Road.
“Our impression of how much we’ll see of Jack has changed in the last week or so as he’s got into Worcestershire’s first team and done well,” he said. “I’m almost getting to the stage where we’re planning for the season without Jack and if he is available to us then it will be an absolute bonus.”
Opening batsman Foster, who scored more premier division runs than anyone last year, is delighted with the team spirit at London Road and wants his men to make a flying start against an experienced Walsall outfit.
“We’ve got a good side out for the first game compared to recent years,” he stressed.
“Walsall are an experienced side and won the title three years on the trot not so long ago, but I would like to think we can get something and while it’s nice to start at home it would be even nicer to start the league season with a win.”
SHREWSBURY: E. Foster, W. Parton, R. Foster, J. Leach, T. Cox, D. Manders, M. Swift, P. Donaldson, J. Anders, M. Barnard, E. Green.
By Stuart Dunn
