Shropshire cricket bodies are teaming up
The leading bodies in Shropshire cricket will work closer together for the long-term benefit of the game in the county as they form a clearer player pathway.
Shropshire County Cricket Club and the Shropshire Cricket Board have formed a closer alliance designed to help improve standards.
A growing number of exciting cricketers have emerged from the Shropshire junior set-up to enjoy successful careers in the first-class game in recent times.
They include England batsman James Taylor, Jack Shantry, Joe Leach, Ed Barnard and Joe Clarke, who recently received his first call-up to represent England Lions.
Promising young players have long had the chance to play for the Shropshire Cricket Board sides from under-10 to under-17 level.
Shropshire County Cricket Club's senior team compete in the Unicorns Championship, while they also run a development side for under-21 players.
That side will now be run in partnership with the SCB to help bridge the gap for youngsters stepping up from junior representative cricket.
Toby Shaw, the chairman of Shropshire County Cricket Club, said: "We recognise the importance of creating a strong and robust player pathway.
"Up to the age of 17 all the cricket education and coaching has historically been done by the Shropshire Cricket Board. There would then be a period of perhaps losing players from the age of 17
"But now we are forging a much closer relationship with the Shropshire Cricket Board and we're working in partnership to improve the standard of cricket.
"It will allow us to recognise talented players at a younger age."
SCB general manager Richard Cox and Shropshire CCC's director of cricket Karl Krikken will run the development side.
Cox said: "I've been in the post for nine months and had lots of discussions to work more closely with the county.
"We want to put things in place that are visible for all to see and one of the initiatives was the idea that the development side will be run by the cricket board and the county club."
