LUDLOW CC skipper Will Sparrow is looking forward to welcoming strike bowlers Matt Kennedy and Louis Watkins back to The Burway ahead of this weekend’s opening Shropshire County League games.

Ludlow start their Premier Division campaign at home to Madeley and the captain is hoping his returning seam duo can give his side the edge.

South African Kennedy took 61 wickets when last at the club two seasons ago at an average of 7.41. Watkins also posted impressive figures in 2015 before spending last season down in Surrey.

“It’s good to have them back and our bowling attack will be as good as the majority of sides in the league,” Sparrow said. “But you still need to get the runs and we will have to step up to the mark with the bat.

“We failed to field a consistent side last season and that should change this time.”

Sparrow will also be able to call on all-rounder Luke Miles who is another making his return after spending last season elsewhere.

“We have always been a top half side and we have no plans to fall short of that this season,” Sparrow added.

Madeley finished third from bottom in the Premier Division last season but have also recruited ahead of the new campaign, bringing in West Indies fast bowler Jeremy Marshall.

“There have been quite a few players coming and going and the league looks to be stronger than ever this year,” the Ludlow skipper added.

Bishops Castle start their Division Two campaign at home to Welshpool and skipper Tom Moulder is looking to field a slightly younger side this season with the likes of exciting quickies Jack Perry and George Rayment becoming features of the first team alongside the experienced Richard Powell.

Division Two rivals Church Stretton start their campaign on the road with a trip to newly-promoted Iscoyd & Fenns Bank while in Division Three, Corvedale begin at home to runanway Division Four champions Trysull & Seisdon.

New Cleobury Mortimer captain Dave Shorter takes his side to Old Vigornians in Division Three of the Worcestershire County League hoping for a repeat of last season’s impressive start when the Love Lane outfit won their first three games.

But it will be a tough task on Saturday with a number of players missing due to the wedding of strike bowler James Manley.

Tenbury start their Division Five campaign the following week.