George Hargrave appointed Shropshire County Cricket Club’s new vice-captain

The consistent Shrewsbury opening batter replaces Ollie Westbury in the role after he decided to stand down.

Charlie Home will continue as Shropshire captain as he looks forward to his third season at the helm.

Ed Home, Shropshire’s head of cricket, said: "Ollie has stood down as vice-captain due to work commitments.

“He is likely to be unavailable for the majority of the white-ball games, but he may potentially be able to play some three-day cricket, so on that basis he has stood down as vice-captain to be replaced by George Hargrave.

"George has a fantastic cricket brain. As I’ve said many times before, it is surprising that no professional county side has recognised the undoubted ability and talent that we see from him on a regular basis.

"George captained Oxford University as well as other teams. He is highly respected by his peers and his understanding of the game together with a strong intellect lends itself to a leadership role.”

Hargrave, who is currently playing club cricket in South Africa, holds batting records for Shropshire in all three National Counties Cricket Association formats.

He made the highest score by any Shropshire player in the Championship when he struck 201 against Dorset at Wimborne in August 2023.

Hargrave then became the first Shropshire player to register a century in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup when he hit an unbeaten 129, from just 44 balls, against Wales at St Asaph last May.

He added another new entry into the club's record books the following month, hitting 152 in the NCCA Trophy match against Norfolk at Great Witchingham, equalling John Foster’s score of 152 against Wales in 1991, as the highest individual score made by a Shropshire player in limited overs cricket.