Big victory needed in final trophy game

Shropshire's cricketers head to Bedfordshire tomorrow knowing they need to win - and win big.The MCCA Trophy hopes of James Ralph's side have been left hanging by a thread by a washed-out opener against Oxfordshire and a rain-curtailed defeat at the hands of Cheshire.

It means Shropshire have to win their final 50-over round robin clash at Flitwick, and then hope results elsewhere go their way as they pursue a top two finish.

They finish their fixtures tomorrow, but all the other teams will have a game to play next weekend. With the chance of net-run rates coming into the equation to decide which teams will progress to the quarter-final, Ralph is also aware a comprehensive win is required.

Shropshire are currently level on points with Oxfordshire, but are down in third place due to an inferior run rate.

"The first thing we have to do is win the game but we have to be aware of run-rates as well," said skipper Ralph. "I will study the table carefully before the game but we know that a big win would really help us if we could pull it off.

"It's hard to know whether it's best to bat first and try and get a big total to boost the run rate that way, or try and bowl them out cheaply and then chase a small target quickly.

"We will have a look at the conditions and take it from there."

Shropshire are forced into one change from the team which beat Cumberland at Shrewsbury last week,

Wellington left-arm seamer Anthony O'Connor comes into replace the unavailable Steve Taylor.

By James Garrison