29th July 2021
| Matt Thompson
Teenager, and local boy Ben Morris has been included in Wales' championship squad against Shropshire which starts on Sunday at Abergavenny. 17 year old Morris gets an opportunity as part of a new look seam attack in the absence of Richard Edwards and Aneurin Norman.
Edwards (Port Talbot), impressed viewers across Wales after his excellent display against Glamorgan nine days ago which included the wickets of New Zealand international Hamish Rutherford, Callum Taylor and Tom Cullen. He was forced to withdraw from Wales' trip to Devon this week after a only managing four overs for Port Talbot against Bridgend, and with the NCCA semi final looming next week the selectors clearly feel an extra rest will be the most sensible move. Former St Fagans seamer Oliver Pike provided last minute cover for Edwards down at Sandford, but with dissertation deadlines looming he is unavailable this week. With veteran seamer Aneurin Norman pulling up during his first spell against Devon with a muscle strain, spots have opened up for Morris and Glamorgan academy all rounder Sam Jardine.
Both have featured for Glamorgan 2nd XI this summer, and look set to support Tomos Jones who retains his place in the squad. Morris just last week ripped through Somerset U18's batting line up taking 7 wickets, whilst Jardine makes a return to national counties action since his last appearance against Berkshire in 2019.
It's been a frustrating championship campaign thus far for Wales, who haven't been able to reach the conclusion during either of their first two games due to inclement weather. They enjoyed the better of a day and a half against Cornwall, and the better of two days against Devon with little to show for it. Herefordshire meanwhile have managed two wins from their opening two games and have a healthy lead in the only promotion spot.
There can be plenty of positives from the trip to Devon this week however, with reliable run getter Oskar Kolk (134) and keeper batter Cameron Herring (74) setting a new record fifth wicket partnership for Wales in championship history during their 2nd innings of 261-9. The pair put on 173 beating the 165 set in 2002 by Owen Dawkins and Kunal Khanna at Swansea. Skipper Sam Pearce enjoyed a return to red ball action with a five wicket haul in the first innings and the returning Kieran Bull had five wickets in the match to follow suit.
The pressure will be on Wales to force a positive result against a Shropshire side that has struggled for consistency this season before they take on Herefordshire in the final round of games. Former Glamorgan all rounder Graham Wagg skippers Shropshire and will be a familiar opponent to many of the current side.
Play starts at 11am each day, with spectators welcome.
Wales NC vs Shropshire from: SJ Pearce* (Bridgend), TR Bevan (St Fagans), MJ Bevans (Newport), CR Brown, OMD Kolk (both Lansdown), GC Holmes (Cardiff), CL Herring+ (Pontarddulais), SJ Jardine (Neath), TD Phillips (Cardiff), KA Bull (Potterne), TL Jones (Bridgend), BJ Morris (Abergavenny).