Worcestershire keeper-batter Henry Cullen’s performances for Plenty Valley CC this winter, plus his contributions off the pitch, have earned a glowing reference from their Head Coach, Michael Rogneda.
Cullen finished as the leading run-scorer in the entire Victoria Cricket Association competition.
The 19-year-old, who signed his first rookie professional contract at New Road last summer, amassed 691 runs at an average of 53.15 with two centuries and four fifties.
The keeper-batter’s highest score was 162 against Malvern, and his other century came versus Port Melbourne when he hit 131.
Aaron Shellie (666) of Coburg was the next-highest scorer in the Victoria Cricket Association.
But he also significantly contributed away from the middle in coaching Plenty Valley’s youngsters.
Rogneda said: “Henry has had a fantastic year both on and off the field at Plenty Valley. Beyond his quality glovework and the runs he churned out with the bat, he has been a quality person to have at our club.
“He coached our junior representative team and has had an enormous impact on the young players he coached.
“For someone so young, Henry is incredibly mature, and he has shown everyone at our club how to go about their training and preparation for matches.
“He has made friends that he will keep for the rest of his life, and we would love to have the privilege of having Henry at our club again.”
Gareth Roderick and Ben Gibbon also enjoyed productive winters playing abroad this winter.
Roderick was appointed captain of Green Point mid-way through the campaign and ended up as his side’s second-highest scorer in the Western Province Premier Division.
The keeper-batter scored 620 runs at an average of 47.70 with six fifty-plus scores, and only opener Zac Elkin (712) scored more runs.
His highest score was 90 against Durbanville.
Roderick continued on from the fine form he showed at New Road during the second half of last season.
He was also in the top ten run-scorers in the entire Premier Division, with Derek Mitchell (Western Province CC) leading the way.
Gibbon showed a lot of promise in his first season at New Road in 2022, and he helped his side, Willetton CC, enjoy a successful winter.
The left armer was part of the side which reached the quarter-finals of the Western Australia Cricket Association T20 competition, the preliminary finals of the one-day league and the knockout stages of the two-day tournament.
Gibbon quickly made an impression in T20 cricket with successive returns of 2-18, 2-22 and 2-13 and his overall figures were 19-0-99-7 at an economy rate of 5.21.
He was also a consistent performer in the one and two-day leagues and finished with 19 wickets at an average of 19.47.
His best return was 4-84 against South Perth, followed by 3-24 against Rockingham-Mandurah and 3-34 against Mount Lawley.
He ended with an overall analysis of 105.2-24-370-19 and an economy rate of 3.51.
