Ed Foster, the Shrewsbury and Shropshire skipper, will enjoy the thrill of leading the county in a showpiece final at a Test match ground next week – but, ahead of his big day, he’s striving to find a solution to his club’s mid-season wobble in the Birmingham League’s premier division.
Foster is frustrated by a run of three successive matches without a win and pulled no punches with his verdict of last weekend’s three-wicket setback at home to Kenilworth Wardens.
Now Foster has demanded a much more convincing display from Shrewsbury ahead of Saturday’s home clash against lowly Walmley.
“It’s a must win game in terms of morale and getting back to the performances we should be putting in,” said Foster. “We’re not a side that should have lost to Kenilworth and had a losing draw against Smethwick, but at the moment people don’t seem to be prepared to get stuck in.”
Foster added he was considering changes with youngsters Steve Barnard and Steve Leach both added to the squad while Mike Barnard could also figure after returning from a lengthy injury absence in the second team last weekend.
“Mike’s fitness has improved a lot but we will wait to see how he is,” said Foster. “Steve Barnard and Steve Leach have been doing well in the seconds this season so we’ll see who is available and whether Jack Shantry can play again or is required by Worcestershire.”
Walmley could include Warwickshire paceman Tom Allin, Shrewsbury’s former contracted player.
Once Saturday’s match is completed, Foster will turn his attention towards captaining Shropshire in the MCCA Trophy final against Lincolnshire at Durham’s Riverside Ground next Wednesday.
“It’s fantastic to have reached the final and to get the chance to play at a Test venue makes it all the better,” said Foster, who cracked a century in the semi-final victory at Hertfordshire. “This is one of those days you look forward to as a cricketer and it’s pretty special.
“Anything can happen in one-day cricket but I’m sure everyone will be looking forward to it and we’ll all get stuck in.”
Foster will be joined in the Shropshire squad for the final by Shrewsbury club mates Rob Foster, his younger brother, and Joe Leach while Alex Blofield and Mike Barnard, assuming he proves hit fitness this weekend, are also likely to be involved with the party heading to the north east.
SHREWSBURY (v Walmley), from: E. Foster, R. Bishop, W. Parton, R. Foster, J. Leach, T. Cox, J. Shantry, D. Manders, A. Blofield, P. Donaldson, E. Green, S. Leach, S. Barnard, M. Barnard.
By Stuart Dunn