Three wickets on debut gives Shantry big boost

Shropshire cricketer Adam Shantry has made up for lost time after finally making his debut for Glamorgan.

Shrewsbury’s Shantry, who moved to the Welsh club at the start of the season, took 3-40 from 13 overs against Essex at Southend yesterday as the LV County Championship clash got under way.

The 25-year-old claimed a notable first scalp when he trapped former England batsman Jason Gallian leg before. He also dismissed Varun Chopra and David Masters as Essex were reduced to 139-5.

Glamorgan had earlier been bowled out for the same score, Shantry managing three before being dismissed by England ace Ravi Bopara.

But his bowling exploits would have given the former Perkins seamer a real lift after an injury-hit start to the season left him mixing appearances at second XI level with outings for Wales Minor Counties and Penarth in the South Wales League.

“I wanted to come in and make a big impression, but it just hasn’t worked out like that,” he said. “Hopefully now I’m in, it’s going to be a tough battle for anyone to come in and take my place.”