Yorkshire to face Shropshire this July 40 years after shock

All 20 National Counties Cricket Association clubs, which includes the likes of Shropshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, have been given the opportunity to play against a first-class county this year.

And Yorkshire might be shuddering somewhat at the prospect of facing Shropshire on July 21 at Wellington Cricket Club, with the 50-overs per side game having the potential to bring back painful memories of a NatWest Trophy first round clash 40 years ago.

Back in 1984, the minor counties side welcomed Yorkshire to Telford, and with the Headingley outfit boasting the likes of Geoffrey Boycott, Martyn Moxon, David Bairstow and Phil Carrick among their ranks, it was expected to be a routine victory for the visitors.

Yorkshire stalwart Martyn Moxon opened the batting on that memorable day in 1984, but could only make 16 before being dismissed by, of all people, Coventry City legend Steve Ogrizovic, who played four List A games for Shropshire in the mid-1980s. (Image: Vaughan Ridley/SWpix.com)

But veteran all-rounder Mushtaq Mohammad, who had previously played 57 Tests for Pakistan, making his debut aged 15 in 1959, and captained Northamptonshire to the Gillette Cup in 1976, stole the show for Shropshire.

The 40-year-old played sensationally on that July 1984 day in Telford, top-scoring with 80 as the underdog hosts posted 229-5 from their 60 overs.

Mohammad then took three top order wickets, as the shell-shocked visitors slipped to 81-6.

Carrick (37) and Graham Stevenson (26) put on a partnership of 64 for the seventh wicket to haul Yorkshire back into contention, but the County Championship behemoths were eventually bundled out for 192 to lose by 37 runs.

Shropshire CCC chairman John Hulme told the club website this week: “That was a wonderful day for the county and it’s still remembered with great affection by those who played, as well as those who watched the match.

“It was an outstanding achievement for Shropshire to beat a strong Yorkshire side, including Geoff Boycott and three other England cricketers.

“We now look forward to welcoming Yorkshire once again 40 years later for what promises to be another special day for the club.

“They remain one of the very top counties in the country. Their playing record over time is second to none.

“It will be fantastic for our players to again have the chance to test themselves against first-class opposition, with the fixture sure to generate plenty of interest around the county.

“We are delighted that Wellington have agreed to host the game. They have a long history of staging such events.

“We want to make it a special occasion for Shropshire cricket and its supporters, including members of the 1984 Shropshire team, who will be our guests of honour on the day.”

The match will also act as useful preparation for Yorkshire ahead of the 50-over Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign getting under way, with their first game in that competition coming against Surrey at The Oval four days later on July 25.