Shifnal look close to home for foreign ace

Shifnal Cricket Club have made a 'hassle-free' overseas player signing for 2010 - by recruiting an allrounder based in the Midlands.

The Birmingham League division one outfit have swooped for batsman and off-spinner David Powles.

The South African has spent the last two years with Cannock and Moseley and, while he is not yet English qualified, Powles is now based in this country.

"There are quite a few benefits in signing David," said director of cricket Will Clarke.

"He is a very good player and we don't have to worry about accommodation because he lives over here anyway.

"We also had a lot of visa issues with our overseas player last year (South African Luke Wells) so we don't have those concerns now."

Shifnal are also in talks with Worcestershire over being allocated a contracted player from the First Class county for next season.

Meanwhile, the club's annual meeting - delayed from earlier this month due to the bad weather - will now be held in the clubhouse on Friday, January 22 (7.30pm).

And there is a big decision to be made over next season's captaincy.

Adam Shimmons was expected to continue as skipper, but has an injury concern which could limit his involvement in 2010.

The experienced bowler suffered an Achilles tendon injury playing football at the start of the winter.

He was making faster-than-expected progress and was on course to be fit for the start of the season, but aggravated the problem when slipping on the ice last week.