D40s beaten in final game
Cricket Shropshire’s D40 side finished their ECB Pursuit campaign with a 22-run defeat against Warwickshire at St Georges CC.
With several S9s already in the squad due to availability issues, the team lost wicket-keeper batsman Kev Baker on the morning of the game due to illness.
This led to skipper Shaun Rigby and Adam Marshall having to share ‘keeper duties to allow them both to have spells of bowling to bolster the attack, with Charlie Vickers and Steve Emson also missing.
Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat and Cally Rigby removed Phil Turton in the first over, his excellent opening burst initially slowed the run rate.
The visitors had proceeded to 89-2, mainly through the efforts of Haroon Irshad (39) and Aqeel Hudda (26) when they suddenly collapsed to 128-8, before an aggressive late assault from Mohammed Abbas (43 not out) took their score to 157-8 at the end of the allocated 40 overs.
Best bowling figures belonged to youngster Ewan Woodhouse (3-17), with five other bowlers each claiming a wicket.
In reply, openers Adam (25) and Danny Percy (56, with 7x4s and 2x6s) looked well in control as Shropshire reached 100-2 at drinks.
Skipper Shaun promoted youngsters up the order to allow them D40 match experience, but unfortunately it backfired as Shropshire slumped to 135 all out (32).
Coach Graham Furber said: “A very disappointing end to a very disappointing season. Our grateful thanks as always to our excellent umpires Wyn Williams and Pete Maltby and to our hosts St Georges CC, great supporters of disability cricket in Shropshire.”
