Jack Shantry, the Shrewsbury cricketer with the Midas touch, jets out to Australia for six months next week on the back of a memorable first full season in the first class game with Worcestershire.
Shantry, 22, helped Worcestershire defy the odds to clinch promotion back to division one of the County Championship after a stunning breakthrough campaign at New Road.
The left-arm seamer ended the season as the club’s leading wicket taker and, while his Worcestershire commitments limited his involvement with home town club Shrewsbury as the London Roaders’ contracted player, he was delighted to be part of the team who lifted the Birmingham League premier division title on the last day of the season.
It all added up to a memorable year for Shantry whose efforts have earned him a new three-year contract with the Pears and also a six-month attachment to Sydney club Campbelltown as their overseas player in the strong Sydney Cricket Association first grade competition.
Little wonder former Priory School pupil Shantry is so pleased how his season shaped up, but he’s determined not to rest on his laurels.
“My target at the start of the season was to try and play as much first team cricket as possible so I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Shantry.
“I was always confident in my own ability, I’ve worked hard and it’s been a great season.
“It’s great to have been rewarded with the new contract and now I’ve got to try and build on it next season.”
Shantry took more wickets, 63, than anyone else at Worcestershire for the first team in competitive matches and highlights were numerous.
“My Twenty20 campaign was very good and one-day cricket generally went well for me,” he said.
“Getting Marcus Trescothick out both times I played against him was fantastic and so was getting the wicket of Mark Ramprakash when we played Surrey.
“They were both childhood heroes of mine and they’re two of the best players on the scene.”
Shantry added playing a part in Shrewsbury’s title triumph was also extremely enjoyable.
“Unlike a lot of teams in the Birmingham League, we’ve not bought success,” he stressed.
“Most of the boys are home grown lads like Ed and Rob Foster and it’s a great achievement for the club to have won it.”
Shantry, who popped down to Cardiff to catch up with his elder brother, injured Glamorgan paceman Adam, earlier this week, is now excited about his next challenge as he gets ready to fly out to Australia on Tuesday.
“I went over to Perth four years ago to play third grade cricket for Claremont Nedlands as a batsman so this will be a bit of a change,” he added.
“Campbelltown emailed Worcestershire back in July and said they were looking for a seam bowler and would anyone be interested.
“Myself and Richard Jones got back to them, and Richard’s now going to a different club in Sydney. I’m really looking forward to it.”
By Stuart Dunn