Shropshire’s cricketers were today preparing for their date with destiny – and their chance to reach a major final for the first time in seven years.

Ed Foster’s side face Hertfordshire at Welwyn Garden City tomorrow in an away semi-final in the MCCA Trophy.

Shropshire have reached the final of the one-day KO on three previous occasions but lost every time, the last one being to Cambridgeshire in 2003.

And captain Foster is anxious for his side to do everything within their powers to give themselves the chance to make it fourth time lucky at Durham’s Riverside ground next month.

“It’s a big game which everybody is looking forward to and hopefully we can get some good support travelling down from Shropshire,” said Foster.

“We weren’t expected to get this far in the competition so there is no real pressure on us.

“But to be part of a Shropshire team that reaches a final would be special for everybody, so there’s a big prize on offer.”

And Shropshire’s cricket co-ordinator Terry O’Connor is confident his side will not be overawed by the occasion.

“I would expect there to be some nerves but what we will be telling everyone to do is play their own game and do the things which have got us to this stage of the competition,” he said.
“If we perform as we can, we believe we will have every chance of going through.

“If we are light in any areas, we will leave the door open for Hertfordshire and could be in trouble.”

Shropshire will be hoping to draw on the experience of seamer Adam Shimmons and allrounder Mark Downes — who both played in the 2003 final and are called up for tomorrow.

Rob Foster also returns from injury but Mike Barnard, Steve Taylor and Joe Leach are unavailable.

Tomorrow’s 50 overs-per-side game starts at 11am, while the other semi-final sees Wiltshire have home advantage against Lincolnshire.