Shropshire looking to press for victory

The hosts ended day two at Shifnal with a lead of 36 after another entertaining day.

But with the visitors already three wickets down in their second innings, Shropshire seem well placed to push for their first win of the season in the three-day format.

Resuming on 71-0 replying to Oxfordshire’s 280-7, opening pair Steve Leach and Omar Ali continued to pile on the runs.

The pair were one short of a partnership of 150 when skipper Leach was the first man to go, the first of seven victims for teenager Harvey Eltham.

Ali, who hit a century in the last game against Herefordshire, fell 10 short this time.

But a stand of 95 for the fifth wicket between Joe Carrasco and Ross Aucott saw the hosts pass Oxfordshire’s first-innings score.

A cluster of wickets fell as Shropshire went from 344-5 to 353-8. Aucott was out for 90 with three balls of the permitted 90 overs remaining as Leach’s side finished on 383-9 – a lead of 103.

And with the hosts able to claim three wickets before the close – two for Alex Wyatt and one for David Wainwright – it left Oxfordshire on 67-3 and facing a battle to avoid defeat.

n South Africa will be without captain Faf du Plessis in this week’s Lord’s Test but have also discovered their coach Russell Domingo wants to continue in his job after the four-match Investec Series against England.

It was announced in a Cricket South Africa statement on Monday morning that Du Plessis will not be back in England to lead the tourists on Thursday, when his fellow batsman Dean Elgar will instead take the reins.

Du Plessis is to remain in South Africa with his wife and their first child, following a difficult birth, but indications are that he will be available by the time the series moves on to Trent Bridge.

South Africa practised without him and afterwards Domingo was able to confirm that he has reapplied for his own position – due to become vacant next month when the 42-year-old’s contract expires.

“I have forwarded my application form and I have gone through an interview,” he said.

“Absolutely (I want to carry on).

“It’s a fantastic honour to work with this team.”