Shropshire captain James Ralph believes his side must win their Minor Counties Championship clash with Berkshire to retain aspirations of championship glory.

Ralph’s men begin the three-day game at Finchampstead in fourth place in the Western Division, 17 points adrift of current leaders Cornwall.

Berkshire find themselves bottom of the table and the midway point of the season and have been beaten heavily in two of their three matches so far this term.

And Ralph knows a significant points return is vital to his team’s hopes.

“If we want to try and challenge for the title until the end of the season we have to get a positive result,” he said.

“We will give ourselves a great chance going into the final two games if we do that.

“We have still got Dorset and Cheshire to play, who are second and third, so it would be nice to go into those games with a chance.”

Shropshire have been affected by major selection problems in the build-up to tomorrow’s game.

The Foster brothers – Ed and Rob – and Jack Shantry are all unavailable, while a host of potential replacements have also been ruled out.

Mark Robinson and Bruce Thomason have been brought back into the side after spells out of Minor Counties Cricket, but Ralph is confident he has the team to force a victory.

“I’m happy with what we have got,” he added. “The lads coming in have done well for Shropshire in the past and we still have the bulk of the team that have played the first few games.”

By James Garrison