Skipper James Ralph insists expectation is sky high as Shropshire enter the new cricket season at home to Oxfordshire in the MCCA Trophy tomorrow (11am).
Ralph is eager to make a positive start in the clash at Wem, and is confident his side is strong enough.
Shropshire’s line-up includes new pro John Maunders as well as Shrewsbury-based batsman Ed Foster, who has been made available by his First Class county Leicestershire and will also keep wicket.
Foster’s brother Rob was also named in the squad but has had to withdraw after being named in a representative universities side.
“We need to start well,” said Ralph. “I think it’s important to win our first game, especially in the one-day competitions.
“There’s a bit of pressure on this first game because it sets the tone for the season.
“After last year there’s added pressure as well, because we did quite well and people will probably expect the same, if not more.
“The young lads did well last year and the expectation is now a lot higher.
“Paper sides don’t win anything, but - on paper - we’ve got a very strong line-up.
“Everyone bats and everyone bowls.”
Ralph, who plays his club cricket for Shifnal, is full of respect for the opposition - but is taking confidence from the meeting between the two last year.
“Oxfordshire are a strong team and a lot depends on what they’ve done in terms of changes over the winter,” he added.
“We beat them quite convincingly last year in the three-day game and that was against a side that had played a lot of First Class cricket.
“It was an exceptional performance by our lads and it showed what they are capable of.”
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