Shropshire cricketer Jack Shantry was today celebrating promotion to the top flight of English county cricket – at the expense of his brother, writes JAMES GARRISON.

Left-arm seamer Shantry was part of the Worcestershire side who dramatically clinched promotion from division two of the LV County Championship yesterday.

They chased down 301 against champions Sussex at New Road yesterday, passing their target with more than 15 overs to spare following a surprisingly early declaration from visiting captain Murray Goodwin.

Wellington’s contracted player James Cameron and Moeen Ali both scored centuries for the Pears to propel them to a vital victory.

The success meant Worcestershire pipped Glamorgan – who include Jack’s brother Adam in their squad – to the second promotion spot.

The Welsh county were denied the victory they required for promotion after drawing with Derbyshire, for whom Shropshire’s Dan Redfern scored an unbeaten 29 in the second innings.

And Jack revealed he and Adam had shared plenty of conversations as the tension built during the last week.

“There is always banter flying around between me and Adam, cricket and non-cricket, and there were a few text messages back and forth yesterday,” said 22-year-old Jack.

“One of us was going to be happy and it’s nice to have a bit of friendly rivalry.”

The promotion capped a dream week for Shantry who was also part of the Shrewsbury team which clinched the Birmingham League premier division title on Saturday with victory over Kidderminster.

Shantry is now preparing to fly out to Sydney on October 5 where he will play for First Grade club Campbelltown this winter.