Skipper James Ralph has issued a damning verdict on an inept Shropshire batting display after seeing his side fall to a first defeat of the season in Cornwall.Chasing 198 to win at Truro, Ralph’s men were all out for 143 to condemn them to their first reverse of the western division campaign.

It was hard on spinner Andy Gray, who had almost single-handedly engineered his side into a winning position with a county record nine-wicket haul in Cornwall’s second innings.

The hosts had established a 40-run lead in the first innings, but Gray’s dazzling 9-56 had seen them dismissed for 157 second time around, and left hopes high that Shropshire could record a second consecutive victory.

“Everyone was worried about their spinners but in the end, on a very flat track, the seamer (Richard Harrison) has got six wickets,” said Ralph.

“We’ve got a young, inexperienced team and sometimes that bit of pressure makes all the difference.

“It was a very bad batting performance that lacked a bit of heart and application, and I didn’t feel we were up for the fight.

“There was no rolling the sleeves up and showing desire, and it was really amateurish. I’m a bit annoyed about it because when you look at their bowling attack it’s one of the weakest we’ll face all season.

“Andy Gray’s nine-for was an outstanding effort and it’s a shame the batters haven’t backed him up because he deserved to be on the winning side for that.”

Ralph now hopes they can bounce back in their next fixture, against Wiltshire at Bridgnorth in a fortnight.

“We were a bit under-strength this time, with the likes of Adam Shimmons, Jack Shantry and the Foster brothers (Ed and Rob) missing,” he added. “Steve Taylor’s not available next time, but hopefully the others will all be back and that could make a big difference.”

By Chris Hudson