Ed Barnard delighted at Dillon Pennington debut
Ed Barnard insists he’s excited about Dillon Pennington’s potential after the fast bowler became the latest Shrewsbury cricketer to break into Worcestershire’s first team.
All-rounder Barnard was impressed how Pennington handled the step up to play for the Pears in last week’s televised victory over Warwickshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Barnard, who hit the winning runs at Edgbaston to earn Worcestershire a home semi-final this Sunday, said he’s pleased to have another Shrewsbury player in the first-team squad at New Road.
Skippered by Joe Leach, who has played plenty of Birmingham League cricket for Shrewsbury, the experienced Jack Shantry is another Pears player who used to play at London Road.
Barnard said: “I thought he did exceptionally well. It was not the easiest start for him. He wasn’t really in the team for his batting but he came in and did a bit of a job at the end and helped us just about get over the line.”
Barnard, 22, now hopes 19-year-old Pennington can keep heading in the right direction – and he believes the England Under-19 international will do just that.
He said: “You look at Dillon and he’s a tall, strapping lad. He bowls with good pace and he’s still so young. I think he’s got all the attributes to go on and do some really big things.”
