Ed Foster quits as Shropshire skipper
Ed Foster today stunned Shropshire cricket by bringing an end to his successful three-year stint as county captain.
The man who led Shropshire to only the second major piece of Minor Counties silverware in their history has resigned due to increased work commitments.
The talented left-handed opening batsman will continue to play one-day cricket for Shropshire and hopes to make himself available for at least part of the three-day Championship campaign.
But the bombshell news from the 27-year-old leaves Shropshire officials with a huge void to fill.
“It’s just become very difficult trying to juggle the captaincy, and particularly the three-day cricket, with a job and trying to progress my career,” said Foster, who works as a marketing manager.
“It is with a heavy heart that I step down and I certainly plan to continue to play for Shropshire in the one-day game and hopefully for some of the Championship games too.
“I just couldn’t commit myself to the whole three-day season, which is why I’ve made the decision.”
Foster – who had spells in the First Class game with Worcestershire and Leicestershire – replaced James Ralph as captain in 2010.
And he enjoyed immediate success by guiding the club to glory in the one-day MCCA Trophy with a famous victory at Durham over Lincolnshire in his first summer in charge.
Foster top scored in the final with an unbeaten 95 to steer his side to only the second trophy in their history after the 1973 Championship success.
Shropshire also reached the quarter-final of the one-day competition last year, and finished eighth, eighth and fourth in their three Championship campaigns under his stewardship.
And Foster, who also ended his six-year stint as captain of Shrewsbury this summer, largely reflects with pride on his achievements as the county skipper.
“There have been some frustration along the way but there have been some really good times,” he added.
“The win at Durham would be up there as a highlight.”