Ed Ashlin to take on first-team coaching role with Shropshire County Cricket Club

Nock has done an excellent job for the county club for a number of years, with Ed Home, Shropshire’s head of cricket, praising his contribution.

Nock is now keen to focus on his umpiring commitments in the Shropshire County Cricket League and also become more involved with the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials.

Ashlin, who has deputised for Nock when he’s been unavailable, continues to play in the Shropshire County Cricket League for Shrewsbury-based Sentinel, and is also the coach of Shropshire’s Academy side.   

That ties in with Ashlin's full-time role with Cricket Shropshire as pathway and coaching manager.

Home said: "I’ve known Ed for many years and he does as excellent job for the Shropshire Cricket Board in charge of the pathway. 

"I first asked him to be involved with the first team when Dave was occasionally unavailable to take on match day responsibilities and roles, and he’s done that over the last couple of years.

"When Dave intimated at the beginning of last season that it was likely to be his last as first team coach, the obvious person to carry that on with his strong links with the Cricket Board was Ed.

"He’s a young coach who is dynamic and wants to coach at the elite level, so Ed coming on board is a very good fit for everyone. 

"What we have done, and continue to try and do, is enhance existing relationships with the Shropshire Cricket Board and work closely with them in relation to the pathway, player development, talent identification and winter training programmes.

“We had discussions with the Shropshire Cricket Board before this was agreed and they wholeheartedly embraced and endorsed Ed's role with the senior team.”

On Nock’s contribution to Shropshire County Cricket Club, Home added: “Dave will be missed, not only by me, but by the players, and when we play at the Shropshire grounds in particular, by the supporters. 

“He has a very sunny disposition and knows a lot about the game of cricket.

"Dave is a panel umpire in the Shropshire League, which he really enjoys. I think he’s probably getting as much enjoyment now out of umpiring as coaching.

"He’s had some very good feedback on his umpiring and he now wants to commit himself fully to that.

"Obviously, Shropshire’s first team’s loss is the umpiring panel’s gain as he’s made a massive contribution. I go back a very long time with Dave and we have had a fantastic working relationship over the last two years.”