Cricket National Knockout final: Ed Foster urges Shrewsbury on

Expectant Ed Foster has urged his Shrewsbury side to seize the moment as they aim to deliver a slice of Shropshire cricketing history tomorrow.

The London Road men take on East Anglian Premier League champions Cambridge Granta in the National Knockout final at Derbyshire's County Ground.

Not since Shrewsbury won the trophy in 1983 have a Shropshire team lifted the most prestigious prize in club cricket.

And Foster believes his youthful side – of which he is the oldest player at 26 – can bring another major piece of silverware home after lifting the Birmingham League premier division trophy 12 months ago.

"Days like this, when you have the chance to become national champions, don't come around very often," said Foster, whose side have left nothing to chance with practice sessions on Monday and Wednesday this week. "I've spoken to a few people I know from university about Cambridge Granta just to pick up one or two things.

"We know they will be a decent side but we have a long batting order, a lot of spin and seam bowling options and we are a pretty good fielding side so we feel we have all bases covered.

"It's going to come down to individuals putting their hand up and performing on the day and hopefully our lads will do that."

Shrewsbury, who have named a squad 12, are travelling to Derby tonight for a pre-final meal for teams and officials of both clubs hosted by the ECB at the County ground.

Around 200 supporters are expected to make the trip, with two coaches leaving London Road at 8am. They include players and officials from Haughmond Football Club, who have requested a week off from West Midlands League division two action.