Alex Huxley is back for Shropshire

Oswestry batsman Alex Huxley will make his first Shropshire appearance for two years this weekend – on his home ground.

Huxley has been named in the Shropshire team to entertain Wales in the Minor Counties Championship clash with Wales at Morda Road, which runs for three days from Sunday.

The 28-year-old has been in fine form for Oswestry, averaging more than 40 to help his side to the top of Birmingham League Division Three.

"Alex is an Oswestry boy and he deserves his chance given how well he's been playing for his club this season," captain Ed Foster said.

"He's not played for Shropshire for a while but we always keep an eye on how the Shropshire clubs are doing and Alex has been a key part of Oswestry's success. He'll bat at No.3 for us and hopefully he can do well."

Shropshire's Western Division title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow with defeat to Dorset in their last outing.

That saw Shropshire drop to fifth in the table – from joint-top – and they are now 16 points behind leaders Cornwall with just two games to go.

Catching

Foster concedes his team's chances of a long-awaited title success are now slim, but is determined for his side to end their season on a high.

"We're mindful of having to end strongly as that's something we've not done in the last few seasons," said Foster.

"It was disappointing we couldn't quite hold out for a draw at Dorset as that would still have given us a chance of catching Cornwall.

"It's still mathematically possible but realistically our chances of winning the title have now gone."

Former Whitchurch man Richard Oliver and Shifnal's Jack Edwards join Huxley back in the side.

Shrewsbury brothers Joe and Stephen Leach are unavailable due to commitments with Worcestershire seconds, while their club-mate Dan Bowen is left out.

Team: Ed Foster (Shrewsbury), Richard Oliver (Reigate Priory), Alex Huxley (Oswestry), James Ralph (Bridgnorth), Rob Foster (Shrewsbury), Jono Whitney (Bridgnorth), Anthony Parker (Shifnal), Jack Edwards (Shifnal), Mark Downes (Newport), Chris Whelan (Liverpool), Elliot Green (Shrewsbury).