FORMER Worcestershire paceman Chris Russell will make his debut for Shropshire on Sunday.

Russell, who left New Road at the end of last season, will play against Staffordshire in the Unicorns Knockout Trophy at Shrewsbury's London Road ground.

Right-arm seamer Russell, 28, played 18 first-class matches for Worcestershire and made a further 22 appearances in one-day and Twenty20 games.

Shropshire captain Steve Leach - brother of Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach - says Russell is an exciting addition to the county squad on the eve of the new season.

Steve Leach said: “Chris is a very skilful bowler with very good one-day skills, certainly at the end of the innings, and he has got a yard of pace. He’s somebody who can bowl genuinely quick.

“It’s a signing that will raise a few eyebrows I’ve no doubt with Minor Counties teams around the country. They’ll look at that and think they won’t want to be facing him. He’ll be the perfect foil for having Alex Wyatt at the other end.

“Chris will also add a lot to the changing room and behind the scenes. He’s got a lot of experience in that professional environment and hopefully he’ll bring that element of professionalism.”

Leach added Russell has just returned from a productive six-month spell playing in Cape Town in which he took more than 50 wickets.

Worcestershire opener Ollie Westbury and Academy player, paceman Dillon Pennington, are also part of the Shropshire squad.