Shropshire Star

Sam Whitney sticks with tried and tested formula

Bridgnorth cricket club captain Sam Whitney believes discipline will be the key to success this summer.

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The Cricket Meadow men launch their Birmingham League Premier Two campaign at home to Kenilworth Wardens tomorrow and Whitney is keen to stick with his tried and trusted gameplan of doing the basics well.

The return of seamer Adam Quiney after a summer off will further boost what is already an impressive bowling attack that also includes the experienced Dave Exall and three top-notch spinners in Whitney, Sam Baugh and Matty Simmonds.

“We don’t blow sides away, we haven’t get anyone who bowls particularly quick, but we are very organised and and a well-drilled side,” said Whitney, who will also skipper Shropshire this summer.

“If I win the toss, I do like to bowl first and restrict sides. Our gameplan is to soak up any sort of pressure and then when we do get wickets, we go on the attack.

“Everyone knows their game. If we find ourselves in a difficult situation we have people who know what they are doing. “We have bowlers who bowl one side of the wicket, it’s a very easy team to captain when we are bowling.

“Dave Exall is very experienced and we have three spinners who can bowl at any stage and keep things tight.

“And Adam is also back this season. He is a massive player for us. He will run in all day and put the ball on the same spot.

“I don’t think many clubs like playing us because of how well-drilled we are. The guys know their game.”

“I have asked quite a few of the top batsman in the league who they don’t like facing and most of them say Adam Quiney or Dave Excell.

“They are not quick but we have the keeper standing up and they rarely bowl you a bad ball.”

Another of the Quiney brothers, batsman Karl, is also back although he will miss the start of the season due to injury.

And Whitney will also be without wicketkeeper/batsman Ben Lees for the early part of the summer due to his commitments with Shrewsbury School.

The format will be split between 50-over win or lose cricket with a white ball and 55-over red ball win/lose/draw.

The season opens with sides donning coloured clothing for a stint of 50-over action with Whitney keen to get off to a good start.

“It’s all about getting off to a good start in this league, especially with the new white ball stuff,” he said.

“I think we are going to be a good white ball team, we have players who can clear the ropes but we have also get experienced players like Simon Gregory, who has been in the form of his life the last couple of years, who can push it round the ground.

“And we have the bowling attack to contain sides when needed.”