Joe Johnson hits century on his first Shropshire appearance as county’s cricketers prepare for new season

Joe Johnson and Roman Walker made a positive impact on their first appearances for Shropshire as the county stepped up preparations for the new National Counties campaign with a pre-season victory over Worcestershire Academy.

Opener Johnson led the way with a century while former Leicestershire and Glamorgan all-rounder Walker, another new addition to the Shropshire squad, impressed with bat and ball as the county emerged winners by 186 runs at Worfield.

Shropshire now look forward to the start of their competitive fixtures as they get ready to face Cumbria in the NCCA Trophy at Bridgnorth on Sunday.

"It was a good start,” said Ed Ashlin, Shropshire’s first team coach. “It was a lovely day and Worfield looked after us really well. The ground was in good shape, the wicket played well, so we are grateful to Worfield, and we also thank Elliot Wilson at Worcestershire for putting together a team.

"It was a really useful exercise and good to get the group together. We've had winter training, but a couple of players have been away and we also had a couple of new lads to integrate, so to get the group together for a game before we start competitively was important.”

Shropshire, captained by Shrewsbury skipper Lewis Evans, elected to bat in Sunday’s friendly and rattled up 315-6 from their 50 overs.

Johnson, who recently signed for Shifnal, struck 101 and Walker added 64, with both players unbeaten before retiring out to give their team mates an opportunity to spend some time in the middle.

Johnson faced 86 balls, hitting six sixes and nine fours, while Walker’s 64 came off 42 deliveries with five sixes and six fours.

There were also useful contributions from Ben Lees (32 not out), Rahul Kaushal (26 retired out), skipper Evans (23 not out) and Harry Chandler (20).

Herbie Evans (34) and Joseph Porter (23 not out) top scored for a young Worcestershire Academy side as the visitors were bowled out for 129 inside 37 overs.

Joe Stanley (2-10) and Walker (2-16) both bowled well, while there was a wicket apiece for Ben Roberts, Johnson, Evans and new Shifnal seamer Imran Tariq, another of the players making his first appearance for Shropshire.

Ashlin added: “Roman and Joe were introduced to the group and both showed their quality which bodes well for the future.

“Joe is a good cricketer and he's also a good character, keen to progress his cricket. He hits the ball really well and you can see that he's a quality batter. We look forward to helping him get to where he wants to in terms of his future aspirations by giving him the platform to go and make some runs.

"Roman is a very experienced cricketer and showed his quality with bat and ball. We know what we're going to get and he wants to come into the group and help others as well which will be really useful.

"Imran has been attending the winter sessions and has caught the eye. He's just joined Shifnal and he bowled well. He bowls with decent pace and he gives us a different option in terms of a left-arm option and adds to the competitive pool of seamers we have to pick from.”