Shropshire Star

Runs flow on opening day of Shropshire against Herefordshire

Pace ace Alex Wyatt and spinner Jack McIver shared nine wickets as Shropshire bowled Herefordshire out for 392 at sun-drenched Whitchurch.

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The pair, who play for Birmingham League Division One high-flyers Shifnal, did the damage on day one of the Unicorns Championship match.

Wyatt took 4-77 off 20 overs while McIver returned figures of 5-166 after an energy-sapping 35-over spell in the sweltering north Shropshire heat.

Dan Bowen took the other wicket to fall for Shropshire in batting-friendly conditions as the visitors fell just short of passing the 400-mark.

For Herefordshire, Peter Burgoyne top scored with 92, but he fell short of his century when he offered up a catch to Bowen off the bowling of McIver.

Then, when Shropshire went out to bat late on at Heath Road, skipper Steve Leach and Omar Ali moved the reply on to 75-0.

Leach moved confidently on to 30 not out, while Ali progressed to an unbeaten 41 in the 20 overs Shropshire had to negotiate before the close of play in their opening home Unicorns Championship match of the season.

Former Leicestershire seamer Wyatt must just love playing at Whitchurch – he made his Championship debut for Shropshire at Whitchurch last June when he played a starring role in a 10-wicket victory over Dorset.

He claimed six wickets in Dorset’s first innings as Shropshire completed a convincing win with a day to spare.

Shropshire picked up eight points from a rain-affected draw at Wales in their opening Championship Western Division match of the new season earlier this month.

Play continues at Heath Road on Monday at 11am with admission free.