Young Wellington batsman Simon Harding will make his Shropshire debut in the Minor Counties Championship clash in Cornwall this weekend.
Harding has been named in the team for the three-day game at Truro, which gets under way on Sunday.
Despite his team’s struggles in Birmingham League division one, the left-hander has been among the runs this season when he has been free from university commitments and that has caught the attention of the Shropshire selectors.
“Simon has been doing well and deserves his chance,” said chairman Bryan Foulkes. “He would have played in the last game had he not been unavailable.”
Harding’s inclusion is one of two changes to the side which romped to a comprehensive victory over Herefordshire in the opening Western Division match of the season last week.
Oswestry left-arm spinner Mark Robinson is also called into the line-up, with Richard Oliver and the unavailable Adam Shimmons dropping out.
Ed and Rob Foster are both enforced absentees, while Shropshire officials will be desperately hoping they will not lose a third Shrewsbury player from their plans.
Allrounder Jack Shantry is named in the team, but Shropshire may be forced into late change of plan if the left-hander is selected for Worcestershire seconds.
James Ralph’s side will be looking to maintain their place amongst the early pace-setters, with Berkshire and Cheshire the only other team to win their opening match.
The full Shropshire team:
James Ralph (captain), John Maunders, Andy Gray, Jono Whitney, Jack Shantry, Atiq-ur-Rehman, Anthony Parker, Simon Harding, Steve Taylor, Ted Bayliss, Mark Robinson.
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