ONE Foster brother will replace another as Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s new captain with Shropshire allrounder Rob stepping up to succeed long-serving skipper Ed at the helm.
The appointment of Rob, 25, still needs to be officially confirmed at the Birmingham League club’s AGM in January, but he’s happy to take over and try to build on the success enjoyed by Ed during his six years in charge.
Ed, two years Rob’s senior, will captain Shrewsbury for the final time when the club wrap up what, by their high standards, has been a disappointing premier division season at home to Berkswell on Saturday (noon).
But the departing captain, who will remain a key figure as an opening batsman at the club, firmly believes Shrewsbury’s future is bright and has backed his younger brother to be a big hit as his replacement.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in him,” said Ed. “He’s the right person to do it and it’s the right time.
“Rob’s a very good player, our best bowler and a very destructive batsman, and I’m sure he will do a fantastic job.
“He’s played for Shrewsbury’s first team for the last 10 years, he’s got a lot of experience, and he’s someone who has the respect of the rest of the team. He will be backed to the hilt.”
Rob will become the third Foster to captain Shrewsbury as dad John, now the club president, enjoyed a successful spell as skipper during the 1980s.
Ed, who plans to remain Shropshire captain, will be a hard act to follow given the success Shrewsbury enjoyed under his leadership.
The highlight was when he hit an unbeaten 98 in guiding Shrewsbury to victory in the National KO final at Derby last year just 12 months after the club were crowned Birmingham League champions for the first time in their history.
“There has certainly been a lot we have achieved as a team,” said Ed. “I just think it’s the right time for a change after six years.”
Ed, who lifted the Graham Williamson Trophy for the third year in a row with victory over Wellington in last Sunday’s final, now hopes an unchanged Shrewsbury team can sign off their campaign on a positive note against third placed Berkswell this weekend.
“It is my last game as captain but I’m sure it will be just like any other. I don’t think that it will all sink in until the winter,” he added.
Berkswell will be led at London Road by former Warwickshire star Dominic Ostler and are also expected to include Zimbabwean international bowler Ed Rainsford in their side.
SHREWSBURY: E Foster, R Bishop, S Leach, J Leach, R. Foster, T Cox, A Blofield, S Barnard, S Griffiths, E Green, D Bowen.