First class Ed-lines plan

Shropshire batsman Ed Foster hopes 2008 can be the year when he finally makes the breakthrough on the First Class scene.

The 22-year-old has been a regular opening batsman for Shropshire’s Minor Counties side for a few years but this season has a contract with Leicestershire, having been released by Worcestershire in 2007.

And, as the Foxes were due to open their LV County Championship division two campaign against Middlesex at Grace Road today, Foster insisted he was ready to challenge for a place in the side.

“I’ve played a few first team games in pre-season and I’m in the squad for the first championship game today,” he revealed.

“I had a really good summer over in Australia. I played some good cricket (for Claremont) and I enjoyed it - you get another season under your belt by going over there, and I used the opportunity to improve.”

Now it’s just a case of playing some second team games and getting a lot of runs, and going from there.”

Shrewsbury lad Foster has not ruled out playing for Shropshire this season when available, and could even be in the side for the MCCA Trophy clash with Oxfordshire at Wem a week on Sunday.

“I spoke to Trevor Sheperd (the Shropshire chairman of selectors) about a week ago, and it all depends on if I’m needed by Leicestershire,” added Foster.

“If I can play in the first team for Leicester then that’s the plan, but I enjoy playing for Shropshire and I’ll be happy to do so.”

Foster has felt instantly at home at Grace Road, and that has been helped by various familiar faces in the dressing room who he has come across before during his career.

Shrewsbury School student Jimmy Taylor, 18, is one of those, with Foster revealing: “Jimmy’s played in all the games I’ve played in so far and he’s done well.”