Bowlers keep Shropshire on track in Counties

Rotherham town seamer Sanderson and spinner Green put the brakes on the Oxfordshire batting at sun-decked Banbur.

It came on the opening day of the Western Division clash as the hosts were all out for 226 before Shropshire moved to 250-5 – a lead of 24 with five wickets in hand.

Sanderson ripped through the middle order to take four wickets, while Green included the important scalp of opener Richard Kaufman in his three-wicket haul.

Kaufman had shared in a 77-run partnership for the second wicket as the hosts eased past 100.

Green's leg spin deceived the ex-Northants man who was caught behind by Anthony Parker after he had hit 62 in 91 balls.

But after Dan Bowen bowled Damian Shirazi for 26, Jamie Perkin (54 not out) renewed the hosts' momentum with a stand of 58 with Mike Beard for the fifth wicket.

But Sanderson's nagging line and length paid dividends to trap Beard and David Smith in front of their wickets.

He then had skipper Chad Keegan snapped up by counterpart Richard Oliver before he bowled Dan Rowe to leave the home side reeling at 203-8.

Green returned to have Francois Vainker stumped by Parker and Bridgnorth's James Ralph polished off last man Matt Woods.

Oliver led from the front in taking Shropshire's reply past 60 in six whirlwind overs.

The skipper crashed eight boundaries and two sixes, but nicked Kaufman behind to depart two short of his half century.

Whitchurch bat Omar Ali (21) was trapped lbw by Keegan and youngster George Collins made just one.

But Rob Foster and Ralph got Shropshire moving again as they shared a massive 161-partnership for the fourth wicket.

Foster followed up his speedy knock the previous day with Shrewsbury, by sending the ball over the ropes 16 times on route to his 82 and Ralph was unbeaten on 77.