WALES will open their 2023 National Counties Cricket Association campaign with a match in Brymbo.

A three-day West Division Two clash with Shropshire will begin at the ground this Sunday.

It’s an exciting development for cricket in North Wales and Brymbo chairman Nigel Roberts is looking forward to what is likely to be a memorable occasion.

Roberts said: “We were contacted by Cricket Wales by Matt Thompson, who runs the cricket pathway.

“He said they would like to come and play a game in North Wales and Brymbo’s name was mentioned.”

It’s a rarity for a North Wales venue to be asked to host a match that will last longer than one day.

However, Brymbo have had to deal with that situation.

“It’s never been done before at Brymbo,” admitted Roberts.

“What our groundsman assures me is it will be a top notch wicket.

“He’s been putting a lot of work into it.”

The match will run at the ground from Sunday through until Tuesday.

There will be a barbecue for spectators on the opening day of the match, while a bar will also be open on Sunday.

“We have been trying to get volunteers for the three days,” said Roberts.

“Sunday isn’t a problem, but we will struggle on Monday and Tuesday."

Anyone who would like to help out can e-mail Nigel via brymbocc.chair@gmail.com

In a post on the Brymbo Twitter site, the club said: “Looking forward to welcoming both sets of players and officials.

“Sure to be some great quality cricket on show - everyone welcome.”

Two North Wales players will be making their championship debuts.

St Asaph’s Will Ryan and Denbigh all-rounder Harrison Jones are both included in the squad.

It’s a reasonably new look side for Wales compared to the regular side of 2022 with no Morgan Bevans, Callum Nicholls, ex-professional Greg Smith or Connor Brown in the batting ranks.

White ball skipper Sam Pearce is unavailable and the retirement of Aneurin Norman leaves an experienced hole in the seam department.

As well as North Wales duo Ryan and Jones, left arm seamer Jack Harding and Swansea seam bowling all-rounder Tim Moses both come in for debuts.

Experience will still be the key for Wales as they look to player/coach Brad Wadlan and keeper/captain Cameron Herring to guide them.

Wadlan has been the standout performer for Wales this year so far averaging just shy of 90 in the one day trophy with key wickets along the way.

He reminded everyone of his match winning capabilities in last year’s opener against Devon, becoming the first player in Welsh history to take ten wickets in a match and score a century.

Play starts at Brymbo at 11am on all three days and admission to spectators is free.

Wales NC from: HLR Friend (Newport), CH Hemp (Swansea), SH Roberts (Swansea), BL Wadlan (Swansea), WL Ryan (St Asaph), CL Herring (Pontarddulais), TH Moses (Swansea), HG Jones (Denbigh), TD Phillips (Cardiff), GT Pritchard (Swansea), JC Harding (Taunton St Andrews), SBS Jaspal (Ammanford).