Shropshire’s Disability D40 squad stormed into the semi-finals of the national ECB competition with a game to spare thanks to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Lancashire.
It gave them a third victory in three group games and guarantees them a spot in the semi-finals for the third year in a row – with the aim of going one better than the last two years when they have finished national runners-up.
Skipper Shaun Rigby won the toss on a hot day at Dukinfield CC and asked the hosts to bat first.
Openers Adam Finneran (60) and Steff Holmes (33) batted well, and a score of 120-2 at the 30 over mark looked ominous for Shropshire.
But the hosts couldn't cope with tight second spells from Cally Rigby (3-11), and Zahid (2-12) and could only add a further 12 runs for the loss of five wickets in the last ten overs, finishing on 132-7 at 40 overs.
Shropshire openers Kev Baker, who had earlier kept brilliantly in supporting the bowlers, and Danny Percy then took the game away from Lancashire with a stand of 113 before Percy was dismissed for 33.
But with Baker going on to finish on an unbeaten 73, Shropshire completed victory with eight wickets in hand.
Coach Graham Furber said: "What a tremendous performance from the D40 squad. It is very encouraging for disability cricket in Shropshire that, even with four key players unavailable, we can still turn out a side capable of beating Lancashire by eight wickets.
“With one remaining group game against Cheshire to go, the squad has now qualified for a third semi-final in a row which is a great achievement."
Shropshire play Cheshire a week on Sunday at Allscott CC to complete the group stage of the competition, and prepare for the semi-final at Kidderminster CC.