Spinner Andy Gray and Shifnal duo Jono Whitney and Anthony Parker will return to the Shropshire side for their final home game of the season this weekend.Gray – who took a record nine wickets in an innings in his last outing in Cornwall – missed the truncated Minor Counties Championship clash against Wiltshire at Bridgnorth last week due to personal reasons.
But he has been named in the side for the three-day game against Oxfordshire which gets underway at Whitchurch on Sunday.
Whitney and Parker also return after being absent for the game at Bridgnorth which was reduced to one day due to rain and ended in a draw.
Shrewsbury seamer Michael Barnard – a debutant against Wiltshire – drops down to 12th man duties, while Atiq-ur-Rehman is playing for his club side Knowle & Dorridge in the last 16 of the National Knockout.
Atiq’s brother Laeq is the other to miss out, meaning Shrewsbury spinner James Gale retains his place in the side.
“James bowled well at Bridgnorth and he bats quite well so he gives the captain another option because we think it may turn a bit at Whitchurch,” said chairman of selectors Trevor Sheperd.
Shropshire enter the game in a tie for second place in the western division alongside Berkshire and Dorset, but all three find themselves 18 points adrift of leaders Cheshire who head to Devon this weekend.
“We need to try and win our last three games but we also need some help from somebody by beating Cheshire because we don’t play them this year,” added Sheperd.
The full Shropshire squad is: James Ralph (captain), John Maunders, Andy Gray, Rob Foster, Ed Foster, Jack Shantry, Jono Whitney, Anthony Parker, Ted Bayliss, James Gale, Adam Shimmons. 12th man: Michael Barnard.
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