John Maunders is tipped to shine for Shropshire

John Maunders' success in the one-day game this summer has seen him hailed as the man to lead Shropshire to their first Minor Counties title since 1973.

"He's a steady guy with a good pedigree, and I think he can get a lot of runs for us," selector Bryan Jones said of the county's new professional.

"If he can hold the top order together for us, we have the bowling attack to back him up.

"I see him as a very important part of our having a good season."

The 27-year-old played for England in the Under-19 World Cup in 2000. He spent four years at Middlesex before moving to Leicestershire, who released him at the end of last season.

But former skipper Jones says Maunders is simply part of an overall well-balanced team.

"We have a good all-round side mixing youth and experience, with the likes of Steve Taylor, Ed and Rob Foster, and Jack Shantry to name a few," Jones told BBC Radio Shropshire. "If they all gel and play well, I'm really optimistic for the season.

"Cheshire won most of the competitions last season with a similar side, and we're ready to take over from them."

Cheshire pipped Shropshire to the Minor Counties Championship in the final game of 2007 - a situation the county are keen to reverse.

Shropshire start on the title trail at home to Herefordshire at Shifnal (June 8-10).