Shropshire name James Ralph as captain
Experienced Bridgnorth batsman James Ralph has been appointed Shropshire Cricket captain for a second time.
And he will lead the side on home soil at Cricket Meadow when the county outfit begin their next Unicorns Championship match against Oxfordshire on Sunday.
Ralph, 38, was Shropshire captain for three years from 2007 and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Wicketkeeper Anthony Parker captained the side in last week's 260-run defeat against Herefordshire but is now expected to be unavailable for the rest of the season after landing a new job as assistant groundsman at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Parker had inherited the skipper's role from opening batsman Richard Oliver who relinquished the position after recently signing a professional contract with Worcestershire until the end of next season.
Brian Foxall, Shropshire's chairman of selectors, said: "There is uncertainly over the future availability of Anthony Parker owing to his new job so therefore the committee have decided to go for an experienced head to captain the side for the remainder of the season.
"James is a very good cricketer and has done the job before. He's also available for all the games so we feel this is the right decision.
"He is happy to take on the role once again and he will be captain for the next game against Oxfordshire at his home club ground of Bridgnorth."
Ralph, a classy middle order batsman who also bowls leg breaks, began his career at Worcestershire and made his Shropshire debut in 1998.
He has been a regular member of the side since with the exception of the 2010 season which he spent with Herefordshire but he quickly returned to the county.
Shropshire will be seeking a much improved performance against Oxfordshire after opening their Championship campaign with disappointing defeats at the hands of Wales and Herefordshire.
The first ball will be bowled at Bridgnorth on Sunday at 11am and admission is free to all three days.
