Shropshire County Cricket Club’s popular ResourceBank Challenge match next week – a highlight in the county’s social calendar – will have a notable West Indian influence.
Former Windies Test paceman Corey Collymore will line up for a strong Invitational XI against Shropshire’s Unicorns Championship team in the annual event at Wrekin College next Thursday, July 9.
Collymore will be joined in the side by Kevin Stoute, the captain of the Bardados team who has played for West Indies A, and Jamar Griffith, a hard-hitting batsman for the Barbados Twenty20 side.
Prolific Indian Test opening batsman Wasim Jaffer is also expected to figure alongside Rajat Bhatia and Gagendeep Singh, two men who have played in the Indian Premier League.
The match will be played over two innings of 20 overs per side and be the showpiece of Shropshire’s hugely popular annual hospitality event which will attract a crowd of nearly 700 people.
Just under 70 tables have been sold with guests watching the cricket from a marquee on the edge of the boundary while enjoying sumptuous food and drink throughout the day.
It is an ideal opportunity for Shropshire’s business fraternity to relax and network while also having the chance to watch some top quality cricket.
“It’s always a highlight of the year and the event’s gone from strength to strength,” said Toby Shaw, the chairman of Shropshire CCC and event organiser
“This year we’ve got just shy of 700 people coming, so it’s still proving be the premier social event for the business community.
“We are very pleased to again be hosting it and we are very grateful to Richard Pearson and ResourceBank for their continued support.
“This event is something that I thought perhaps may have a two or three year lifespan but it continues to go from strength to strength nine years on, so we must be doing something right for people to come in such impressive numbers.”
Mr Shaw added: “There will be some very talented cricketers playing, the likes of Corey Collymore, while we are also looking forward to watching the guest players from the West Indies who are very exciting cricketers.
“The Shropshire side should be almost at full strength and it’s a nice game for the players to be involved in following an encouraging start to the Championship season.”
An auction will be held with driving experiences at Eastnor Castle with Land Rover and tickets for the Cheltenham Cup final at Cirencester Polo Club in September among the items up for grabs.
This year’s chosen charity, The Shrewsbury League of Friends, are also set to benefit from the generosity of the local business community via a donation from Shropshire CCC.
Cricket lovers are invited to head to Wrekin College next Thursday to enjoy the action. Admission is free and the first ball will be bowled at 11am.
Pictured – the two teams at last year’s event with Richard Pearson of sponsors ResourcBank
Stuart Dunn