Ben Stebbings is ready to play the long game

The London Roaders host Kenilworth Wardens having put a horrendous opening-day defeat to Barnt Green behind them to sit on the coattails of the Premier Division leaders.

After a straight win/loss format for the first five matches, all fixtures revert to 55 overs rather than 50 with win/loss/draws all possible.

And Shrewsbury skipper Ben Stebbings believes this is the type of game that suits his side.

“To come out of the first section with four wins out of five is something I am very happy with,” he said.

“We were at full strength for the first game and it was just one of those days that can happen, it just happened to happen on the opening day!

“Traditionally we have been good in the longer format and our bowling is good at controlling sides and that enables us to exert pressure at times.

“We have got a good battling line-up but we are not a very powerful side and the extra five overs seems to suit us a little bit better.”

Stebbings took Shrewsbury to his former club Brockhampton last weekend and returned home with a 97-run victory.

Ed Foster hit 114 not out, his second unbeaten century in three matches, but Stebbings admits the former club captain needs more support.

“It’s only what we have come to expect from him over the years, he is a terrific player,” added Stebbings, who, in his first year as skipper, has lost all five tosses so far.

“He did well last year but perhaps didn’t quite get the number of runs he would have liked.

“He is playing very well and holding us together a little bit at the moment. A few of us need to pull our finger out and contribute, we can’t leave it all to Ed.

“Kenilworth are quite a strong side and it will be a difficult game, but if we play as we have the last few weeks then I’m confident we can get a positive result.”

Dillon Pennington, who made his debut for Worcestershire seconds this week, will be left out as he focuses on his A-levels.

Henry Blofield is also missing but George Panayi returns.

Shrewsbury have a Birmingham League Twenty20 Challenge Cup match at home to Fordhouses tonight (6pm).