The survival hopes of Shropshire’s highest graded cricket team have received a major jolt – with their overseas professional leaving early.

Shifnal will have to cope without left-arm seamer Gary Putland for the final three matches of their Birmingham League premier division season, with the Australian due to fly back to his homeland tomorrow.

The news comes as a major blow to Shifnal who find themselves 17 points adrift of safety with three matches remaining after a damaging final over defeat to Knowle & Dorridge yesterday.

Putland managed to bowl just one over, before being troubled by the thigh injury which has forced him to miss seven games already this season.

“It’s a massive blow to us and we are very disappointed,” said manager Chris Cadman. “Gary is a contracted player with South Australia – they want him back there and he has decided he has got bigger fish too fry.

Bridgnorth will also lose Indian all-rounder Paras Dogra for the final throes of their campaign – but they appear safe in division three.

Dogra is returning to India tomorrow to play in a state festival.

Meanwhile, Oswestry’s stay in the Birmingham League is over after just one season after two Bank Holiday defeats confirmed their relegation.