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Graham Wagg to captain Shropshire for the first time in Sunday’s friendly at Staffordshire

SCCC-News

Graham Wagg will make his first appearance for Shropshire when he captains the county in this weekend’s opening 50-over friendly of the season.

The former Glamorgan all-rounder will lead Shropshire against Staffordshire at Himley on Sunday (11am).

It’s the first of four 50-over-friendlies arranged by Shropshire in preparation for the NCCA Trophy 50-over competition, which starts at the end of May.

Shropshire’s Director of Cricket John Abrahams said: “We should have been playing Staffordshire in the T20 competition, which was cancelled, but they agreed to go ahead with a 50-over fixture at the same venue on the same day, so it hopefully helps them and helps us as well.”

With matches being played in the Birmingham League’s Graham Williamson Trophy on Sunday, county players from Shrewsbury and Shifnal will be playing for their clubs before returning to Shropshire’s selection plans for future games.

Abrahams said: “We’ve been limited with selection as a couple of teams are playing knockout games in the Birmingham League, so players from Shrewsbury and Shifnal have not been considered.

“It provides us with the opportunity to look at other players and with four friendly matches before the first NCCA Trophy match, we would hopefully by the fourth have a good idea of who our best players are.”

Both Shropshire and Staffordshire are selecting 12 players for Sunday, with a nominated non-batsman, while both sides will be able to rotate players in the field.

Harry Chandler and Ryan Lockley will share wicketkeeping duties for Shropshire.

Shropshire team: Joe Carrasco (Shepherds Bush), Harry Chandler (Wem), Ryan Lockley (Oswestry), Simon Gregory (Bridgnorth), Graham Wagg (Biddestone, captain), James Kinder (Bridgnorth), Charlie Home (Wolverhampton), David Laird (Oswestry), Dan Lloyd (Wellington), Matt Simmonds (Bridgnorth), Sam Whitney (Bridgnorth, vice-captain), Ben Roberts (Oswestry).