Shropshire cricketers need a miracle

Shropshire's cricketers today went into the final day of their Minor Counties Championship season clinging to the outside chance of clinching their first silverware in 36 years.

To have any chance of lifting the western division title, Shropshire must first beat Cheshire at Whitchurch where the hosts began the final day 110 runs clear with six second innings wickets in hand.

Should James Ralph's side secure their third win in six matches they must then rely on results elsewhere – and hope both Cornwall and Oxfordshire fail to win.

Cornwall will struggle to force victory over Wales in Pontardulais, where just four overs play has been possible in the first two days because of rain.

Current division leaders Cornwall have reached 13-0 and must rely on a declaration and then a forfeit of innings from Wales to have any chance of success.

But Shropshire's problem could come in the shape of Oxfordshire, who look on course to defeat Berkshire at Falkland.

Berkshire began today 117-5 in their second innings, a lead of just 45.

• The full report is in today's Shropshire Star

By JAMES GARRISON