SHROPSHIRE is ready for its first ever floodlit cricket match.

An under 19s game between a select North West and Centre West side picked from sides in the respective regions.

The teams have been picked for the T20 game at Oswestry Cricket Club on Friday, August 31, with the sides set to wear coloured kits and use pink balls.

The fixture comes as part of the ECB’s Vitality U19s T20 initiative to encourage players in their late teens to stay involved in the game.

Steve Reese, Cricket Shropshire’s clubs and community cricket manager, said: “It promises to be a great occasion with a fantastic atmosphere under the lights at Oswestry.

“The North West side has chosen a green kit, and the Central West side Royal Blue. T20 wigs and clackers will be handed out to the crowd on the night to enhance the experience. It should be great fun.”

Umpires Tim Barber and Jon Ashton will oversee proceedings, while the floodlights will be supplied by Griffiths Hire Shops which has an Oswestry outlet.

The bar at Oswestry CC will be open and there will be a barbecue on offer, it’s free entry and spectators can park at the nearby Marches School on Morda Road.

Steve added: “This is a showcase game to promote ‘peer’ cricket for the 15 to 19-year-old age group, and is also a great example of collaborative working between clubs to get these youngsters playing cricket together.

“There are no county players involved – it is for club players to have their go in the spotlight – literally under the lights at Oswestry!

“It is something we will be looking to develop next season with more regional teams involved playing on potentially the last Friday night of each month, with an end of season tournament a possibility.

“There is an issue within the game of a big drop off in participation in cricket in the 15-21 age group, and we want to make every effort to address that.

“The ECB Vitality U19s T20 is a chance for us to do that, giving the players the chance to compete in cricket against their peers – it seems an ideal product.

“And thanks to all who have been involved in organising this exciting event, and Oswestry CC for hosting.”

The game will get under way at 6.45pm and will feature a power play of six overs at the start of each innings, where only two fielders will be allowed outside the circle, with a maximum of five afterwards.

North West squad: Ben Parry, Tom Blenkinsop, James Blenkinsop (all Wem), Josh Darley, Matty Davies, Max Oakley (all Oswestry), Lawrence Hitchin (captain), David Ogden, Joe Kynaston (all Knockin & Kinnerley), Ollie Harris, Jack Hutchinson, Dylan Evans (all Frankton).

Central West squad: George Cheshire (captain), Owen Morris, Tom Griffiths (all Sentinel), Martin Lewis, Antony Duffy, Tom Simpson (all Beacon), James Churms, Rory McGoldrick, Cormack McGoldrick (all Pontestbury), Robbie Barker, Charlie Rogers, Ben Brooks (all Condover).