Plenty Valley import Henry Cullen continues his golden summer in VSDCA

Plenty Valley young gun Henry Cullen reached new heights on Saturday and stormed to the top of the run-scorers charts with a dazzling ton.

Plenty Valley import Henry Cullen has taken the VSDCA by storm this season.

The Worcestershire wicketkeeper-batsman reached new heights on Saturday, smashing 162 to put Plenty Valley in a strong position against Malvern.

Mid way through Round 14, Cullen sits on top of the North-South group run-scorers charts with 674 runs to his name, at an average of 56.17.

He’s the second-leading run-scorer in all of Subbies, behind only Melton’s Ben MacRae (705).

Cullen’s second century of the campaign saw Plenty Valley reach 9-282 at Malvern Cricket Ground.

Bats captain-coach Michael Rogneda said Cullen’s ability belied his age.

“He’s been great, he’s a fantastic keeper and a fantastic batter,” Rogneda said.

“He’s been in this sort of form all year but yesterday was just a day he was able to cash in.

“I have to remind myself he’s only 19, he knows his game so well.

“I feel like he’s my age but he’s 13 years younger, he looks 15, he is 19 and is as mature as anyone in the comp. He’s level-headed, cool, calm and collected.”

Cullen’s 221-ball stay lasted more than four hours and included 22 boundaries and a six. It is the highest score by any player in the North-South group this season

He and Yashen Sharma (59) put on 150 runs for the sixth wicket before both fell in the space of five runs.

It’s the second week in a row Sharma has played a critical role, scoring 77 not out in support of Alex Cole’s 101 in a 116-run stand.

“Yash has played Twos and Threes for most of my time at the club and I didn’t know he had this in him,” Rogneda said.

Plenty Valley paceman Simon Black. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He opened the batting in the Twos and was very patient and bats a long time but has come up to the Ones and is batting at No.8.

“He made 30 against Brunswick in quick time and then made 77 last week and backed it up with a 50 in a 150-run partnership, which is fantastic.”

Cullen and Sharma thrived against a Malvern attack led by Australia Test spinner and the competition’s third-leading wicket-taker Michael Beer (3-52) and also includes Zimbabwe Test player Solomon Mire.

Rogneda said they had a simple plan to try and combat Beer.

“For right-handers I don’t think the sweep shot is on to Beer,” he said.

“Yash is a left-hander so if he can get his pad outside the line then the shot is on but for right-handers is a very high-risk shot because he’s a very accurate bowler and the majority of his balls are going to hit the stumps.”

Plenty Valley will now look to defend its total.

Rogneda said the likes of run-machine Tom Rickarby, who sits fifth on the run-scorers charts with 495 runs, Mire and Josh Coplestone would be key wickets.

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Plenty Valley has conceded the fifth most runs this season.

Simon Black will lead the attack with 25 wickets this season, while Rogneda has 21 to both sit inside the top 15 in the North-South group.

“The game is certainly not won,” Rogneda said.

“With Rickarby and Solly, if they can get going, they could get us before tea if we don’t bowl well.”