Eight adds up to great Gray day

Andy Gray was today on the brink of etching his name in Shropshire cricket’s record books by recording the county’s best bowling figures of all-time.

The off-spinner claimed figures of 8-54 at Truro yesterday as Shropshire dramatically fought their way back into contention in the Western Division clash with Cornwall.

The hosts collapsed from 116-2 to 151-9 - and Gray’s overnight figures left him with the fifth best bowling analysis in Shropshire’s 51-year MInor Counties history.

And it could get even better for the 34-year-old today.

For should Gray claim the one remaining Cornwall scalp, he would move to the top of the pile and become the first Shropshire player to ever take nine wickets in an innings.

“Andy was out of this world and the last session was unbelievable,” said chairman of selectors Trevor Sheperd. “He bowled 27 overs unchanged and just kept plugging away.

“He bowled with guile, skill and turn and it would be great if he went on and got the record today.”

The heroics from Gray - who also took three wickets in the first innings - hauled Shropshire back into the game after what Sheperd conceded had been two days of “slightly indifferent” cricket from the visitors.

Cornwall resumed this morning with a lead of 191 and anxious for their final pairing to take the Shropshire target over 200.

But with the pitch offering turn and Cornwall having three recognised spinners in their line-up, a tricky chase lay ahead for skipper James Ralph’s team today.

l Shropshire Over-50s, whose game against Herefordshire at Eastnor was rained off last week, are back in action against Warwickshire at Kenilworth Wardens tomorrow.

Shropshire: John Foster, Barry Jones (Knockin), Barry Jones (Quatt), Peter Hayes, John James, Brian Jones, Phil Lloyd, Dave Ashlin, Dave Williams, Barry Managh, Junior Boyce.

Shropshire’s best ever figures (before today’s play):

• DS de Silva v Cheshire (at Wellington in 1982) - 8-41
• Geoff Othen v Bedfordshire (at Bedford School in 1969) - 8-42
• Richard Tudor v Somerset II (at Shrewsbury in 1977) - 8-46
• Jon Abrahams v Dorest (at Newport in 1989) - 8-51
• Andy Gray v Cornwall (at Truro in 2008) - 8-54
• Dave Williamson v Dorest (at Whitchurch in 2001) - 8-56
• Geoff Edmunds v Buckinghamshire (at Wellington in 1990) - 8-60
• Gordon Trinder v Bedfordshire (at Bedford School in 1961) - 8-68

By James Garrison