Captain’s stand keeps Shropshire CC in the hunt

The left-handed opener reached his ton off 202 balls as his side battled to overturn a first-innings deficit of 70 against Cheshire on day two at Shifnal.

Leach, playing on his home ground, made 104 but fell in the penultimate over of the day as Shropshire reached stumps at 296-9 – a lead of 226.

They would be in a much stronger position but for a partnership of 149 for the seventh wicket that helped the visitors take a useful lead from a position where they looked in trouble.

Resuming on 165-4 with the game finely poised, Cheshire lost two quick wickets as the hosts looked as if they were going to gain the upper hand.

The visitors hadn’t added to their overnight score when Gurjit Sandhu had Will Evans caught behind by Ryan Lockley for 14.

Shropshire’s delight was doubled moments later when Wayne White was bowled by Alexei Kervezee for 32 to reduce the visitors to 165-6.

But any hopes they had of swiftly wrapping up the innings disappeared as Sam Perry and Simon Normanton launched a terrific counter-attack.

The pair not only steered their side past Shropshire’s first innings total of 276 but beyond 300 as the home attack toiled in the search for a breakthrough.

Normanton enjoyed a couple of moments of good fortune, but he made the most of his luck with a brilliant innings.

He seemed on course for a century before the spin of Bridgnorth skipper Sam Whitney finally made the breakthrough, Normanton out for 91 from 73 balls after offering a catch to Kervezee at midwicket with the score on 314.

Former Worcestershire man Kervezee followed up by having Gaz Burns caught by Omar Ali for five and Ben Aitchison leg before for one.

Perry was the last man out when he was caught by Kervezee off the bowling of Sandhu for 71, Cheshire all out for 346 in 81.1 overs.

Shropshire needed a good start to their second innings but it wasn’t forthcoming as opener Ali departed cheaply for two. Cheshire quickly turned away from pace for the spin of Normanton and it proved too much of a temptation for Ali as he skied a catch to Perry.

Will Parton top-scored for the hosts on the opening day, but when he was caught behind off Aitchison for 15 it left his side on 34-2.

Warwick Fynn and Leach helped Shropshire back ahead, but the Oswestry man was out soon after for 18 when he was trapped lbw by Furqan Shafiq.

Kervezee hit his second half-century of the match before his rapid knock of 53 off 46 balls ended when he was caught behind off Chris Charles.

Robbie Clarke made 27 before he offered wicketkeeper Evans another catch, this time off Wayne White.

White bowled Ross Aucott for six, but Leach and Lockley put on 78 for the seventh wicket. Lockley had hit a fine boundary to go to 42, but the next ball was stumped after edging out of his crease.

Sam Whitney was run out for a duck and, with Leach on 96, it was looking questionable whether the skipper would reach three figures. He did do with a single soon after for his fourth Championship century.

But he was unable to see the day out when White found the edge and Evans claimed his fifth catch of the innings.

Meanwhile, Leach was also awarded his county cap by the club in recognition of his positive contribution and service.

Opening batsman Leach was delighted to be presented with his cap by John Foster, the former Shropshire skipper, ahead of the start of the county’s opening Unicorns Championship match of the season against Cheshire at Shifnal. He is the first player to be capped by the county since Richard Oliver and Anthony Parker in 2011.

Leach admitted it was a nice surprise to be told of the honour and insisted it was a very proud moment.

“I’m delighted,” said Leach. “John Foster said some nice words and to have this recognition is the pinnacle, so I’m very grateful for it.

“I’m only 24, which I think surprises a few people, as I made my debut seven years ago now.

“But I’ve always really enjoyed playing three-day cricket and I hope there’s many more matches and many more runs to come for Shropshire.”

Leach, who is in his third year as Shropshire captain, said: “I didn’t know about becoming a capped player until just before the presentation happened.

“All the lads came up and congratulated me and it’s really something to strive for as a Shropshire player.

“It’s not something you really think about until it happens, but in terms of my cricketing career, it will obviously be a highlight. The cap will be one of those mementoes I’ll keep forever.”

Shropshire chairman Toby Shaw said Leach, who topped the county batting averages last season, deserved the honour.

He said: “It’s terrific recognition for Steve and he’s already been a wonderful servant for the club.”