Joe Clarke comes homes for county clash
Teenager Joe Clarke, fresh from helping England to third place in the ICC U19 World Cup, wants to keep the runs flowing for Shropshire in tomorrow's clash with Cheshire at his home ground at Oswestry's Morda Road.
The 17-year-old, who has returned to Oswestry this season, has enjoyed a terrific 12 months since becoming Shropshire's youngest ever player shortly after his 16th birthday when he was selected to face Berkshire.
He then signed a two-year professional contract with Worcestershire before receiving the call to represent England under-19s in the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Clarke relished the experience but stressed playing for Shropshire was something he always enjoyed and that playing for the county remains important to his own career development.
"Playing for Shropshire is something I love doing," he said. "This will be the first time I've played at Oswestry for Shropshire's senior side so it will be a good experience as I know a lot of people there.
"I joined Oswestry at the age of 11 and spent four of five years at the club before joining Wellington – but now I'm back at Oswestry. Hopefully we can get a win against Cheshire and it would be an extra bonus if I could do well myself – but the most important thing is to get another good result and for Shropshire to get through to the quarter-finals."
Clarke lives at Trefonen and is currently studying for his A-levels at Llanfyllin High School.
He juggles his education with a hectic cricket schedule with the highlight so far the starring role he played for England's under-19s as wicketkeeper-batsman in the World Cup over the winter.
Clarke is highly rated at Worcestershire and scored an unbeaten century for the Pears in his opening second team match of the season against Somerset.
He shared a second-wicket stand of 194 with captain Richard Oliver in Shropshire's last home game against Lincolnshire, with the teenager compiling an unbeaten 78.
And while he plays solely as a batsman for the county with the long-serving Anthony Parker established behind the stumps, he is delighted that Shropshire now have a former top-class wicketkeeper in Karl Krikken as coach.
He said: "For Shropshire to get someone like Karl in as coach given all his experience at Derbyshire is a phenomenal effort from the chairman."
The first ball at Oswestry tomorrow will be bowled at 11am. Admission is free.
