Himley shape up for all-star game

Himley Cricket Club are hoping the rain stays off as they welcome a galaxy of local stars for a Twenty20 game against the Birmingham League All-Stars as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations tomorrow (4.30pm).

Captain Greg Wright has drafted in India first class batsman and former Wombourne overseas player Paras Dogra, with overseas players Gerrie Smith (Swindon) and Keir Bettley (Brewood) to supplement Himley regulars.

The Birmingham League, captained by Smethwick skipper Dave Banks, include West Bromwich Dartmouth overseas player T P Sudhindra, Walsall trio Mo Sheikh, Andy Gray and Brad Wilson, with Shifnal players Gary Puttland, Guy Bulpitt and Jono Whitney.

Wolverhampton paceman Imran Jamshed and Dartmouth's former Himley player Shafiq Ahmed also feature for the league.

Himley are hoping for better luck, after games against the Staffs Clubs Championship and the MCCC were washed out on Monday and yesterday.

Wright said: "It's great to see these names here. We've had fantastic support from these players and hopefully we can drag quite a crowd in."

A 40-overs annual match against Aberystwyth follows on Thursday (12 noon) which includes the official ground opening by ECB chief executive David Collier and the start of a beer festival at the Stourbridge Road ground.

Wright added: "The club has been going a long time and it's going to be a fantastic week"