Cricket: Mark Downes back in Shropshire squad

Wellington paceman Mark Downes is back in the Shropshire squad for this weekend's long haul to Cornwall.

Downes was a permanent fixture in the MCCA Trophy one-day games at the start of the season, but teaching commitments have ruled him out of the three-day Minor Counties Championship campaign until now.

He is added to the team which drew with Oxfordshire at Whitchurch last time out for the game at St Austell which starts on Sunday.

"Mark's been a key performer with the ball for us for the last couple of years so it's good to have him back," said captain Ed Foster.

Strike bowler Neil Saker, who played First Class cricket for Kent earlier in the season, retains his place in the team after taking nine wickets on debut at Whitchurch.

And Shrewsbury's Rob Foster is named in the initial squad but will be monitored throughout the week as he battles against a side strain picked up in the last game.

The full squad is: Ed Foster (Shrewsbury, captain), Jono Whitney (Bridgnorth),Chris Murtargh (Reigate), James Ralph (Kidderminster), Rob Foster, Tom Cox (both Shrewsbury), Richard Oliver (Whitchurch), Anthony Parker (Shifnal), Andy Gray (Alvaston & Boulton), Neil Saker (Reigate), Jonty Mountford (Shifnal), Mark Downes (Wellington).

By JAMES GARRISON