NEIL Shardlow is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of friendly faces next week when Wiltshire entertain Shropshire at Corsham.

Shardlow will be making his 49th Minor Counties Championship appearance but he admits it is always extra special to play in front of his home club fans.

The Corsham captain said walking out onto the pitch in front of friends and club members is always a moment to remember.

He said: "Especially me being captain of Corsham, it will be great to play in front of so many people that I know.

"Representing your county is a massive honour but to be doing it at Corsham as well is even better.

"I am looking forward to the three days and hopefully I will be able to give the people who come out to support me cheer."

Their opponents, Shropshire, are third in the Western Division table behind Devon, who have played one match more than Shropshire, and have won all their matches so far.

They are expected to include former Warwickshire all rounder and England one-day international Neil Smith in their squad and Shardlow is under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead.

He said: "I don't know a lot about them but I have no doubt they are a very good side, they must be to have won all their games so far.

"I heard Neil Smith will probably be playing for them and although I don't know much about him he has to be regarded as one of their danger men.

"But we have been playing well this season and we go into every match thinking we can win it."

Going into the match Wiltshire lie in fifth place in the championship and Shardlow believes their performances have been on a par with last season.

He said: "Although we had a great start last season I think we finished in about the same position as we are in now.

"We looked at the fixtures before the season started and we knew it was always going to be tough for us but I think we have done alright. We know we have a tough finish but hopefully that will bring the best out of us."

The wicketkeeper has not been happy with his county form this season and is determined to put things right, starting on Sunday.

"I just haven't been scoring the amount of runs I would like," he said. "My form has not been good but I want to change that in the few matches we have left.

"It is a shame I will not make my 50th appearance at Corsham but it was just not meant to be. To make so many appearances is getting increasingly difficult because we are playing fewer matches than we used to so it will be an honour when I make my 50th appearance."

The match will be played on Sunday through to Tuesday, starting at 11am on Sunday and Monday and 10.30am on Tuesday.

Team: Russell Rowe (South Wilts, captain), Jason Searle (Chippenham, vice-captain), Richard Bedbrook (Beckenham), Kevin Blackburn (Clifton/Optimists), Chris Budd (Thornbury), Michael Coles (Bridgwater), Richard Foley (Corsham), James Hibberd (Calmore Sports), Kevin Nash (Bashley), Baqar Rizvi (Spencer), Neil Shardlow (Corsham), 12th man Jon Chandler (South Wilts).

l ON Sunday August 15 Wiltshire play Northumberland at Westbury in the semi-final of the MCCA Knockout Trophy starting at 11.30am. The winners will play either Berkshire or Suffolk in the final at Lord's on September 6.