Strike bowler Adam Shimmons is set for a dramatic return for Shropshire in Sunday’s must-win Minor Counties Trophy clash with Northumberland at Oswestry.

The experienced Shimmons was expected to miss the entire season after suffering a serious ankle injury playing football during the winter.

But he has made a rapid recovery and caught the eye over the last two weeks for Shifnal in Birmingham League division one, and is included in the 13-man squad for this weekend.

Shimmons is one of three players called up from the team heavily beaten by Cheshire a fortnight ago, along with Shrewsbury quickie Michael Barnard and Whitchurch batsman Richard Oliver.

Excellent start

Barnard has missed Shropshire’s first two one-day games because of cricket commitments with Oxford University where he has made an excellent start to the season.

And Oliver is back in contention after returning from a winter in Australia.

Steve Taylor is unavailable while Will Parton misses out.

Shropshire must defeat Northumberland on Sunday to have a realistic chance of finishing in the top two of their qualifying group and progressing to the quarter-finals.

The squad is: Ed Foster (Shrewsbury, captain), Jono Whitney (Bridgnorth, Alex Huxley (Oswestry), Rob Foster, Joe Leach (both Shrewsbury), Richard Oliver (Whitchurch), Anthony Parker (Shifnal), Andy Gray (Alvaston & Boulton), Matt Tilt (St Georges), Dan Bowen (Whitchurch), Adam Shimmons (Shifnal), Anthony O’Connor (Wellington), Michael Barnard (Shrewsbury).

By JAMES GARRISON