Bat star hits a double century against Shropshire
Shropshire's bowlers toiled against the batting of Michael Coles – who finished with a double century – in their opening Minor Counties Championship clash at Wiltshire.
The right-hander survived a couple of early lbw appeals before he went on to hit an unbeaten 227.
He helped the hosts to 434-9 from their 90 overs at South Wiltshire Cricket Club on the opening day of the match.
Coles led the way after opener Ed Kilbee compiled 70 before he became one of Dan Bowen's four victims.
The Shrewsbury paceman clean bowled Kilbee, Henry Langford and Tahir Afridi and had Joe Breet trapped lbw and did his best to keep the lid on the Wiltshire batting.
But it was mostly hard-going for the visiting attack with Coles in particular taking advantage of an excellent batting track.
Shropshire wicket-keeper Anthony Parker admitted: "It was a tough day's cricket on what was an excellent wicket. Their lad played very well and ended up with a massive score.
"He'd scored 250 for his club side on Saturday so he was right at the top of his game.
"We had a couple of lbw appeals which with more favourable umpiring might have gone our way."
Elliott Green's spin was introduced to good effect with the Shrewsbury man removing middle-order men Tom Morton and Tom Bowler before Bowen skittled Afridi to leave Wiltshire at 287-8 in the 70th over.
But Coles accelerated the run rate and he and spinner Joe King managed to put on 115 for the ninth wicket even though the No.10 contributed just one to the tally.
Bristolian Cole hit out in style and his knock was swelled by 38 boundaries including 12 sixes.
But Shropshire's openers Richard Oliver and Steve Leach looked equally comfortable in reply. They were untroubled as they as Shropshire finished on 67-0.
"It's a good start for us, but overall it was a hard first day for us. Dan Bowen was our best player. He bowled well and took some important wickets."
