Kark Krikken: We go on to next year
Shropshire's director of cricket Karl Krikken insists the county has much to look forward to despite ending their Unicorns Championship season with a heavy defeat at Wiltshire.
Shropshire never recovered from being dismissed for just 59 in their first innings as they lost by an innings and 79 runs at Devizes.
Wiltshire responded with 368 and then bowled out Shropshire, for whom Joe Carrasco and Omar Ali both struck half-centuries, for 230 to wrap up victory inside two days.
But Krikken stressed Shropshire had played some good cricket this year, winning four of their six matches. The county had been top of the table until deducted 24 points for inadvertently fielding an ineligible player in their penultimate game at Cheshire.
Krikken said: "We got well and truly beaten really and it's disappointing, but hopefully it won't be a reflection of our season as such because we've played some good cricket in the three-dayers.
"We're obviously disappointed but we go on to next year. Hopefully we can keep the same similar nucleus of players and go further."
He added: "Wiltshire are a good side. We wanted to give our best and, unfortunately, there was nothing left in the tank."
Krikken was impressed by Carrasco and Ali, who both fell for 55 in the second innings. "Joe's threatened to play an innings like that," he said. "He's one of our young lads, so hopefully he can continue that for a few seasons now.
"Omar struck the ball magnificently. He gave himself a little bit more time to get in than in the past, which is what we've wanted him to do, and he played an innings accordingly really. But unfortunately the damage was done on the first day."
