Professional Chris Murtagh will return to the Shropshire ranks when they begin their Minor Counties Championships campaign at Wiltshire this weekend.

The former Surrey batsman has missed the last three games in the one-day MCCA Trophy after being selected to play for the Unicorns in the Clydesdale Bank 40.

But Murtagh returns for the first of six three-day games, which gets underway at South Wilts in Salisbury on Sunday.

He comes in for former Derbyshire man Steve Stubbings who made a half century on his Shropshire debut in the victory over Staffordshire at Audley last month, which booked their place in the quarter-finals of the one-day competition.

Shropshire officials have confirmed they will play no more than two professionals in any game this season, with Murtagh the first choice to play alongside spinner Andy Gray.

Omitted

Worcestershire commitments are likely to rule Shrewsbury allrounder Joe Leach out of three-day fixtures, and he is omitted from the team for the opening western division clash.

Oswestry’s Alex Huxley returns to open the batting with captain Ed Foster.

And the pace attack will be spearheaded by Steve Taylor, Michael Barnard and Dan Bowen, fresh from securing the best ever one-day bowling figures by a Shropshire player – 6-25 – against Staffordshire.

The team for Wiltshire is: Ed Foster (Shrewsbury, captain), Alex Huxley (Oswestry), Chris Murtagh (Reigate), Rob Foster (Shrewsbury), Jono Whitney (Bridgnorth), Richard Oliver (Whitchurch), Andy Gray (Alvaston & Boulton), Matt Tilt, Steve Taylor (both St Georges), Michael Barnard (Shrewsbury), Dan Bowen (Whitchurch).

By JAMES GARRISON