Mersey mission for Disability D40 side

David on May 13, 2025

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.

Volunteer of the Month launched for 2025

David on April 28, 2025

Cricket Shropshire is looking to highlight the brilliant work that goes on at clubs across the county with the launch of the Volunteer of the Month awards for the 2025 season.

Chloe and Holly on international duty

David on April 25, 2025

Two Shropshire scorers have been recognised for their achievements after taking on duties at international fixtures during the 2024 season.

The presentation to Chloe Walmsley and Holly Eccleston took place at the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials’ (SACO) annual meeting recently at Allscott Heath CC.

Holly, from Whitchurch CC, was the official scorer for England Women in their game against New Zealand at New Road, Worcester, last June.

Chloe was scorer for the England U19s game against the West Indies at Loughborough as part of the School Games at the end of August.

She is also lined up to score at Lord’s next month as part of the officials team for the national Girls Schools Indoor Finals.

Holly has scored at a number of international fixtures in recent years, while Chloe is stepping up her scoring journey after getting involved at Madeley CC.

Chole said: “I got into scoring through my younger sister who took it on as a hobby and scored in the Birmingham League. 

“Learning first-hand from her inspired me to get involved myself. I play for Madeley Ladies team having scored for them when I was on maternity leave. 

“I’ve scored for a variety of the Shropshire County Age Group teams – U14 boys, U18 girls, Ladies and the Academy side – and I have also scored for the Shropshire Over 50s side. 

“I would encourage anyone who has even a little bit of interest in scoring to give it a go! In my opinion, it’s the best place to watch a game of cricket.”

The SACO annual meeting was well-supported with 53 umpires and scorers in attendance. A curry was enjoyed by all as well as a run through of the 2025 new rules and regulations presented by Tim Barber.

Two new members joined the SACO Committee at the meeting.

David Nock has taken on the Development Officer role releasing Colin Wetherley-Mein to focus on the Appointments Officer position. 

Nathan Bartram has joined the committee in a new position of Junior Officials Officer – he will work closely with SACO and Cricket Shropshire to look to encourage and support the emergence of younger umpires to the county. 

Chair Tom Kane also advised the meeting of a successful recruitment and training during the winter.

More than 20 umpires attended the ECB Introduction to Umpiring Courses, and SACO is looking forward to as many of six of these joining the SCCL Umpire Panel for 2025 Season. 

If anyone is interested in getting involved in umpiring or scoring in Shropshire, they can get in touch with either Andy Johnson (Secretary) Tel: 07572 687077 Email  secretary@shropsaco.co.uk or Clair Ecclestone (Scorers Representative) Email scorers_rep@shropsaco.co.uk

Women’s XI start with big win

David on April 24, 2025

Kate Brazier led the way with both bat and ball as Shropshire claimed an ultimately comfortable victory over Cumbria in their opening game in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Division 2 North fixture.

First, she combined with Alex Hale in an 109-run partnership to help Shropshire set a competitive total after they were put into bat at Whitchurch CC’s Heath Road.

Then she led the bowling attack with a three-wicket burst from which the visitors never recovered as Shropshire won by 154 runs.

Opener Robyn Mathews hit 30 at the top of the order and Aamna Khan 27 in the Shropshire innings, but the hosts were in some trouble themselves at 108-6 when Kate joined Alex in the middle after 30 overs (the pair pictured below).

Alex finished unbeaten on 55 off 61 balls, and Kate hit 51 before she was run out with just two balls left in the innings to see Shropshire to 218-7 off their 50 overs.

Kate then bowled her ten overs straight through claiming 3-16, with Freya Jones (1-9 from six overs) also keeping the scoring in check at the top of the innings.

Amy Griffiths (3-24) and Millie Parry (3-9) then took up the attack and ensured Cumbria never got a look in as they were bowled out for 64 in the 25th over to give Shropshire their big win.

Coach Sam Whitney said: “We battled really hard at the start. There was no pace on the ball to work with, so Robyn and Aamna had to be watchful early on and their partnership set us up so Alex and Kate could play so freely.

“Halfway, I asked us to field and bowl better than them, and we did that. We bowled straight and gave them no freebies.

“We have strength in depth this season, and if we can get the core of eight or nine players out each game I think we can be successful.”

Huge thanks to everyone at Whitchurch CC for hosting the game.

The girls are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, when they host Norfolk at Allscott Heath CC.

It is part of the ECB’s new ‘FA Cup style’ Knockout Cup (T20) which will see teams from all three Tiers in the revamped women’s game entered. 

Thanks to Shrewsbury-based DY USA for their continued support of Shropshire’s Women’s XI. The team played in the new kit provided by support given to the Board by DY USA.

Liv and Holly receive ECB awards

David on April 24, 2025

Shropshire’s national Cricket Collective Award winners Liv Preston and Holly Fozzard have received their trophies and certificates from the ECB.

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