Shropshire have swooped for a new professional for their do-or-die Minor Counties Trophy shoot-out with Staffordshire on Sunday, writes JAMES GARRISON.

Former Derbyshire batsman Steve Stubbings will play in the final group game of the 50-overs competition at Audley.

The left-handed batsman spent 12 years with Derbyshire before being released at the end of last summer, averaging 32 from 139 matches.

He has been drafted in as Chris Murtagh, the initial batting professional signed by Shropshire, will miss his third successive game this weekend after being called up to play for Unicorns in the Clydesdale Bank 40.

“We have been trying to get Steve in for the last couple of games as a replacement for Chris,” said captain Ed Foster.

“We needed someone to bat at No 3 and he has been in good form for his club, Alvaston & Boulton in the Derbyshire League so hopefully he can get some important runs for us on Sunday.”

Foster insisted that Murtagh remains Shropshire’s first choice batting professional and will be selected when available.

Stubbings, 32, gets the nod ahead of Oswestry’s Alex Huxley, while Shropshire make two further changes to the side which defeated Northumberland at Oswestry last week.

Shrewsbury allrounder Joe Leach has been withdrawn by Worcestershire, while Shifnal seamer Adam Shimmons is unavailable.

But St Georges strike bowler Steve Taylor makes a welcome return to the ranks, while Whitchurch’s Dan Bowen is called up from 12th man duties.