Newly-crowned Birmingham Cricket League champions Shrewsbury are to lose the services of two of the regulars in this season's title-winning side with Tom Cox and Steve Barnard both moving to London.

Barnard, who has again shone with bat and ball this season, and batsman Cox have landed jobs in the capital and will play their club cricket for West London side Shepherd's Bush, just promoted to the Middlesex County League premier division.

Offspinning allrounder Alex Blofield, another good servant to Shrewsbury in recent years but not a regular this season, is also moving to London.

Barnard and Cox bowed out in style by helping Shrewsbury beat Walmley by 113 runs last weekend, a result which secured a third Birmingham League premier division title for the club in six years, with Cox and Barnard key members of all three championship teams.

The duo are both unavailable for Saturday's final day trip to Kidderminster and will be replaced by Sam Griffiths and Charlie Morris as the county towners bid to wrap up their successful season with another victory.

Cox hit 42 in the title-clinching win over Wamley and Barnard took three wickets - his brothers Ed and Mike claimed the others to make it a stunning full house with the ball for the family.

Shrewsbury skipper Rob Foster said: "Both Tom and Steve have been so committed to Shrewsbury, so this was a fitting way for them to sign off. They've been big parts of the club with Steve leading the bowling attack really well and Tom has played some important innings.

"It will be sad to see them go but logistically it makes sense for them to play their cricket in London and at Shepherd's Bush they will be playing under Jack Brydon, a former Shrewsbury wicketkeeper.

"Tom has been working down in London for a few weeks but such is his commitment he's been travelling back up to play for us, and now Steve has also got himself a job in London.

"Alex Blofield is also moving down to London through work. It's not clear yet where he is going to play his cricket, but he has also been a big part of our success over the years."

Foster and his team celebrated long into the night after holding off the strong challenge of Berkswell - a side including several former professional cricketers - and Knowle & Dorridge to be crowned as the region's best team again.

Foster stressed it was an excellent achievement and feels there is more to come from his side, also champions in 2010 and 2013.

"I don't think we've always played to our full potential this year," he said. "But it's a massive achievement to have won the league again and we celebrated it pretty well.

"I knew we had the players and the squad to have a good season - and when you look at the teams we've beaten it's very pleasing."

Shrewsbury are again likely to be able to include Worcestershire stars Joe Leach and Ed Barnard in their side for Saturday's last day of the season clash at Kidderminster.

"It's a game where we can relax and enjoy it," added Foster. "But it would be nice to go there and get another win."

Meanwhile, James Taylor, Shrewsbury's contracted player, hit his maiden One Day International century for England in the third match of the series against Australia at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The Nottinghamshire batsman, a former Shrewsbury School pupil, cracked 101 to follow up scores of 49 and 43 in the opening two games as he helped England win by 93 runs in Manchester.

Picture: Shropshire Star