Greenvale to debut British First Class cricketer in Premier Cricket opener

Greenvale Kangaroos have secured a massive recruiting coup on the eve of the new Premier Cricket season, signing a British First Class star.

A last-minute recruiting coup has given Greenvale Kangaroos a big boost on the eve of the Premier Cricket season.

Tom Cullen trained for the first time on Tuesday and will debut against Prahran on Saturday after arriving from the UK.

The Australian-England dual national plays First Class cricket for Glamorgan in the UK where he was part of the victorious Royal London One-Day Cup team.

Unable to return to his native Western Australia, he’ll turn out for the Kangaroos, significantly boosting the club’s top order and taking on wicketkeeping duties.

Cullen has 20 First Class matches under his belt since debuting with Cardiff in 2015, scoring 582 runs at 20.78.

Tom Cullen in action for Glamorgan in the Royal London One-Day Cup semi final against Essex. Picture: Nathan Stirk

When Kangaroos coach Damian Shanahan received an email, his eyes lit up.

“Tom’s a very handy pick up, he arrived safe and sound on Tuesday, trained Tuesday and Thursday and will be ready to go on Saturday,” Shanahan said.

“He reached out to us when I was in quarantine, it was one of the first emails I got after getting off the plane (from Oman).

“He couldn’t get back to WA, because he’s a WA boy born and bred, and he was passionate about getting some game time and experiencing a new program.

“He’ll bat in the top order and take the gloves as well, which is a bit of a luxury with (Jack) Potticary there as well.”

Cullen last played in early September, making 29 and a duck for Glamorgan’s Second XI against Yorkshire.

He hit 24 in Glamorgan’s win over Durham in the one-day cup final at Trent Bridge and 41 not out in the semi-final win over Alastair Cook’s Essex.

“Tom finished in September, so he’s had five or six weeks off, but he’s had a good blow out at training this week,” Shanahan said.

Harry Singh in action for Kingston Hawthorn. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“He should be pretty well conditioned and freshened up ready to go.”

Cullen is one of two new faces in the Kangaroos team that has been named to face the reigning premier at Greenvale Reserve.

Harry Singh will make his club debut after crossing from Kingston Hawthorn this winter.

However, the Kangaroos will be without breakout paceman Darcy Bell after he pulled up sore at training this week.

The club is looking to improve on last season’s two-win campaign that saw them go winless before Christmas.

Shanahan has been away with Papua New Guinea at the T20 World Cup in Oman the past few months and was only just released from quarantine in time for Round 1.

2021-22: GAME ON! PREMIER CRICKET SEASON PREVIEW

LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE

DEBUT: O’DONNELL LEGACY CONTINUES AT ESSENDON

Tasks don’t come much bigger than Prahran in the season-opener but Shanahan was looking forward to the challenge.

“You can look at it two ways, the fixture hasn’t been kind or it’s given us a chance to test ourselves against the best early doors and I prefer to look at it that way,” he said.

“Barry (Nieveldt) and Matthew (Harrison) have taken care of business while I’ve been away and we’ve got an opportunity to take it up to the reigning premiers.

“It’s going to be a really hard five or six weeks before Christmas but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”