Shropshire have signed former Leicestershire all rounder John Maunders to spearhead their 2008 campaign.

While on the books at Middlesex, Maunders represented England at the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, having toured New Zealand the previous winter. Also represented England at U17 level.

Was awarded the NCB Denis Compton Award in 1999 but was released by Middlesex at the end of the 2002 season before moving to Grace Road.

He scored 759 runs in his 16 first-class appearances for Leicestershire in 2005, but only played in two totesport league games for the county.

Signed a new contract with Leicestershire for the 2006 season, but failed to earn a new deal at the end of 2007

Shropshire's brave attempt to win the Western Division title failed narrowly as their vital match against Cheshire

ended in an exciting draw. Having lost the first day to rain, the young Shropshire team played magnificently for two days but could not bowl their opponents out in the final innings. A first innings century from Rob Foster (103*), and a pulsating second innings knock from Atiq Rehman (109* in 57 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes) enabled Shropshire to set a target of 186 in a minimum of 41 overs, but despite excellent bowling from Steve Taylor and Jack Shantry Cheshire held out.  Cheshire therefore won the Western Division title and will play Northumberland in the Final, whilst Shropshire finished as runners up, a magnificent achievement with such a young side.

Shropshire's final match of the 2007 season promises to be the most important in their 50 year history since they won the Championship in 1973.  The match, against Cheshire at Nantwich on 19/20/21 August will decide the destination of the Western Division title.  Cheshire head the table, 11 points ahead of Shropshire.  With a maximum of 24 points available to the victors, only a win will be enough for Shropshire. A draw or defeat will hand the title to Cheshire.  With so much to play for, Shropshire will be hoping for a large following of supporters.  The match gets under way on Sunday at 11am.  Please come along and cheer the team on. Your support will be much appreciated.

To celebrate Fifty Years of Minor Counties Cricket in Shropshire, county member Christopher Owen has compiled a very informative booklet packed with interesting information about Shropshire's performances and statistics over the past fifty years.  For those who do not have a copy you can purchase one from the author at Holleywell Cottage, Church Street, Appleford, Oxfordshire, OX14 4PR.  Telephone 01235 848410. The cost is £5.00 plus £1 p&p. All proceeds go to Shropshire County Cricket Club.

Delighted Shropshire County Cricket Club bosses have hailed the 2007 ResourceBank Twenty20 Cup a triumph - with winners the Lashings World XI already expressing their desire to return next year.  The tournament at Wellington's Orleton Park was watched by more than 1,500 people and they looked on as the Lashings side packed with current and former international stars defeated Staffordshire in the final with a four off the last ball.

Shropshire's hopes of defending the trophy were ended when they were beaten by the eventual runners-up in the semis.  Lashings had earlier beaten Cheshire by four runs in a nail-biter.  But, despite that disappointment for the home fans, Shropshire County Cricket Club's marketing co-ordinator Toby Shaw was more than satisfied with the day.  "They want to come back and defend the trophy, and that's an endorsement of how successful it's been," he said. 

"They are professional sportsmen and they treated this as such.  There was no quarter given. It was just super," added Shaw.  "We had a great crowd, and I think they've all had a great day's entertainment.  We had a lovely day and the only rain came in the lunch interval.  After the summer we've had I don't think you could have predicted the weather.  It was a shame about Shropshire's performance, but that's one of those things."

"My biggest highlight of the day was just how many kids we had here - that was wonderful to see.  The enthusiasm for the game is still strong and long may it continue."

Shropshire captain James Ralph was disappointed to see his side slump to a 96-run defeat to Staffordshire, and admitted they had struggled with a young side not suited to twenty20 cricket.  "We're not a team of big hitters and we're more suited to the longer form of the game," he said.  "It was a good day for the Shropshire Cricket Association though.  It's been a great effort by Bryan Jones and Toby Shaw to organise the event."

A host of World Cup cricket stars will head to Shropshire this summer as the Lashings World XI makes its debut in the ResourceBank Twenty20 Trophy.  The Lashings side, managed by West Indies legend Alvin Kallicharran, will compete against Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire for the trophy at Wellington Cricket Club on Thursday July 12.  The event is a joint collaboration between Shropshire County Cricket Club and Wellington, who celebrate their 60th anniversary in the coming season.

The Twenty20 tournament made its debut at Shifnal last year, and was hailed a major success - with hosts Shropshire even enjoying the bonus of winning the trophy. The opposition then included a Professional Cricketers' Association XI, who fielded West Indian stars Sherwin Campbell and Phil Simmons as well as former England Test stars Devon Malcolm and Gladstone Small.

And fans can expect an even bigger array of legends in the Lashings XI - with West Indian ace Richie Richardson captaining the side, which will also feature his former team-mate Jimmy Adams and New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns.  But the biggest draw will be the modern day stars who are currently playing their trade over in the Caribbean at the World Cup.  "I'm not in a position to tell you the names of the present players for contractual reasons, but there will be six or seven players from the World Cup so it's going to be a full international squad," said Kallicharran.  "But it's Sri Lankans, it's South Africans, it's Pakistani players of a high standing.  Just after the World Cup has finished people will know everything and they will be pleased with the names they hear."

The whole show at Wellington will be managed by the Lashings organisation, who turn up with their own marquees, shops, commentators and comedians to entertain the crowds.  And Richard Pearson, the managing director of event sponsors ResourceBank, added "We learned a lot last year.  It was a great day and Shifnal did a great job, now we plan to make it even better.  We're delighted to be supporting Shropshire County Cricket Club."

Tickets will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors, with the semi-finals played one after the other at 10.15am and 2.30pm.  The final will start at 5.30pm.