Worcestershire Assistant Coach, Alan Richardson, was unsurprised by Henry Cullen’s excellent first team debut behind the stumps during the Royal London Cup encounter with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
He finished playing in a three-day Academy game against Cricket Wales at Abergavenny and then drove down to link up with the Rapids in time to replace the sick Ben Cox as keeper for the 50-over game.
Cullen recently signed his first rookie professional contract, kept wicket very tidily and picked up two catches.
Richardson said: “I thought he kept exceptionally well, which was no surprise to us. He has been in the system for a long time.
“He is an impressive young man and has worked really hard at his game, so to watch him keep, he was very much unnoticed, which is a great sign for a keeper.
“Henry was extremely tidy, very busy, and showed a lot of intent, so that was great to see, and hopefully, it will be the first of many games for him.
“He’s just come off a three-day game for the Academy at Abergavenny and got 147 not out and kept really well, so fair play to him.
“He went back to Worcester, hopped into his car, drove down to Southampton on Thursday night, and acquitted himself brilliantly well.”
Taylor Cornall also acquitted himself in fine style on his List A debut for Worcestershire with a wicket and then making 43 and featuring in a superb stand of 130 with Ed Barnard (85 not out).
But the left-hander appeared frustrated when he was eventually caught at long-on after he and Barnard hauled Worcestershire back into the game.
Richardson said: “A fabulous effort from Ed and Taylor to get us into that position and just disappointing not to give ourselves a chance (to win).
“Will Cornall be devastated with the way he got out? We will find out. He doesn’t look too happy with himself at the moment.
“He worked unbelievably hard. We know what Taylor is capable of. He is a very bright cricketer, he applies himself brilliantly well, and there is a lot of ability there as well, so it is no surprise that he has impacted the game.
“I thought he bowled quite well too. We were trying to shuffle some overs with some spin, and he did that very well.
“To be in a position to put on 130 with Ed, in testing conditions, was a fantastic knock. But when you speak to him later, find out what sort of state he is in after that shot.”
