Blofield is given county mission

Shrewsbury's Alex Blofield is on course for his Shropshire Minor Counties debut this weekend.

The 17-year-old Shrewsbury School pupil, who was born and bred in the county town, has been named in the squad of 12 for the visit of Devon to Shifnal for the three-day Western Division Championship game which starts on Sunday.

Off-spinner Blofield has had a successful summer with bat and ball for both Shrewsbury School, where he was today unveiled as next year's first XI captain, and Shrewsbury on his handful appearances for the club this season.

Blofield is joined in the squad by club-mate Mike Barnard and Ted Bayliss, who is available for his first three-day game of the season.

Wicket-keeper Matt Tilt is unavailable so Anthony Parker will don the gloves on his home ground.

Jack Shantry will almost certainly miss the game as he has commitments with Worcestershire, where he has a summer contract, while Steve Taylor is included in the squad – but his availability is in doubt because of work.

The meeting with Devon represents a huge game for Shropshire who moved to third in the table, and within five points of leaders Cheshire, after a thrilling victory over Wales at Bridgnorth in their last outing.

Full squad is: James Ralph (Kidderminster, captain), Ed Foster, Rob Foster, Michael Barnard, Alex Blofield (all Shrewsbury), Andy Gray (Walsall), Richard Oliver (Whitchurch), Atiq-ur-Rehman (Knowle & Dorridge), Jono Whitney (Bridgnorth), Steve Taylor (St Georges), Anthony Parker (Shifnal), Ted Bayliss (Kidderminster).

By JAMES GARRISON