Mersey mission for Disability D40 side
Cricket Shropshire’s Disability D40 side found themselves up against one of the best teams in the country when they travelled to Lancashire for their opening game of the 2025 season.
A league reorganisation has seen them ‘promoted’ to the Northern section of the Quest competition – one of the two strongest leagues in Disability cricket.
On Sunday at Ashton-on-Mersey CC they found themselves up against a Lancashire team including a number of England and DPL standard players.
They slipped to defeat but put in a determined display despite a number of absences that pleased the coaches Graham Furber and Jonathan Caldecott.
Graham said: “We are going to need our strongest side out to be competitive but the unfortunately four of our top six batsmen from last season were unavailable including our talismanic captain Shaun Rigby.
“This, combined with a later cry-off due to ill-health, meant our side featured six players from last year’s S9s side – and one of the youngest we have ever fielded.”
New skipper Adam Marshall won the toss and asked the hosts to bat, and they then built an imposing opening stand of 220.
They eventually finished on 375-5 with Kris Collinge hitting a magnificent 168. Teenager Oli Harrison was the pick of the bowlers with 3-40 – all his wickets coming in an impressive second spell.
In the reply, skipper Marshall hit a composed 28 as Shropshire were reduced to 66-3 at one point.
But then an unbeaten stand of 126 between Evan Pickford (30) and Cally Rigby (99 not out) saw Shropshire to a respectable 192-3 at the end of their innings.
Graham added: “If ever an innings deserved a century, it was Cally’s with his 15 boundaries and 4 maximums performing at his most belligerent best, even taking 22 from one over.
“He was on 97 with one ball to go and I don’t think even our opponents would have begrudged him the magic three figures.
“Congratulations to Lancs Disability CDO John Hughes and his squad for the competitive but respectful way in which the game was played, a real credit to disability cricket.
“Ashton-on-Mersey is a very hospitable club with a huge playing area, a lightning fast outfield and situated right on the banks of the Mersey River. This was their first occasion of hosting a Disabilty game and their hospitality was excellent.
“We still feel that we are missing league cricketers with a disability who would be of a huge benefit to our squad and we will continue to work with the Board to try to find additional players to develop the squad.
“The standard of this league is very high and a number of Premier League cricketers take part.
“To their enormous credit, our team never gave up in adversity, and were a real credit to themselves and to the Board but the difference in quality was very noticeable.”
Shropshire’s next game is on Sunday 25th May when they entertain Yorkshire at Norton-in- Hales CC.
If there are any cricketers interested in getting involved in the D40 side, they can contact Graham via email graham.furber@yahoo.com to discuss eligibility.
