Oliver wants some more...seam bowlers for Shropshire after Saker's return

Saker, who last played for Shropshire in 2011, will cover in Sunday's crucial MCCA Knock-Out Trophy clash at Cumberland.

The 29-year-old has first class experience with Surrey and Kent and played in four Championship matches for Shropshire in 2011, taking 16 wickets.

Oliver plays his club cricket alongside Saker at Surrey Premiership side Reigate Priory and has called on him, with Ben Sanderson still out injured.

The skipper said: "It's quite exciting, 'Sakesy' played for us in 2011 as our professional towards the back end of that year.

"He had just been released by Surrey before Kent took him on for a bit, but he couldn't get a deal there so he came to play for us and now he's back.

"Obviously, there's a connection between me and him at Reigate and we need a seamer, so it's handy he's available to play."

Shropshire have used Oswestry's Dan Bowen and Shifnal's left-arm seamer Jack Edwards in the bowling role so far, which Oliver admits is up for grabs.

He said: "There's certainly an opportunity for a new seam bowler to be called up to the squad, as that's the department where we are having problems."

Tom Cox is unavailable to play so will be replaced by Shrewsbury club-mate Steve Leach, who was top of last year's Championship batting averages.

Edwards will be operating as the 12th man at Cockermouth, where he will be put through his paces by Saker and coach Karl Krikken.

Squad: Richard Oliver (capt) (Reigate Priory), Omar Ali (Whitchurch), Joe Clarke (Oswestry), Jack Edwards (Shifnal), Ed Foster, Rob Foster, Elliot Green, Sam Griffiths, Steve Leach, Anthony Parker (wkt, Shrewsbury), Gurman Randhawa (Ossett), Neil Saker (Reigate Priory)