Pros back in Shropshire cricket fold

The two cricket professionals who helped Shropshire to their first piece of silverware in almost 40 years are set to return for 2011.

Batsman Chris Murtagh and off-spinner Andy Gray were part of the team which won the Minor Counties Trophy by defeating Lincolnshire in the final at Durham in August.

And the pair look certain to be back in the Shropshire ranks next year, with captain Ed Foster planning to meet Gray in Australia to finalise his stay later this month.

"It was a straight-forward decision because they were worth their weight in gold last year," said Foster.

"Andy has done extremely well in Minor Counties cricket ever since he came to play for Shropshire and he also chipped in with a fair few runs last season.

"Chris scored a lot of runs batting at No 3 in his first season in Minor Counties cricket. He is very professional and the right type of character to have around the dressing room."

Gray has taken 117 wickets at an average of 21 in his 23 three-day matches since joining in 2007.

And former Surrey ace Murtagh topped the Shropshire Championship batting averages with 524 runs and an average of 58 last season.