Yorkshire’s wicketkeeping future is in safe hands, says Paul Shaw – the county’s keeping consultant.
Shaw is enthused by the development of Jonny Tattersall plus understudies Ben Birkhead and Harry Duke.
The part-time work of Shaw, the former head coach of England’s women, is helping to increase the competition in that department at Emerald Headingley.
He is also helping Tom Kohler-Cadmore develop his wicketkeeping work as the opening batsman looks to add an extra string to his bow with one eye on the increasing number of domestic short-form leagues around the world.
“We’ve had a great winter working with the three keepers, Jonny, Ben and Harry,” said Shaw.
“All of them have developed really nicely.
“I’ve been working with them for the last three years or so, and I was saying to Galey and Martyn Moxon at the start of the season, ‘I’m really happy with where they’re at’.
“All three have developed their glove work nicely and can contribute well with the bat.”
England’s Jonny Bairstow aside, Tattersall has been Yorkshire’s first choice gloveman since late 2018.
Tattersall has quickly developed into a wicketkeeper having started his career as a specialist batsman only.
The 26-year-old has been short of runs in the LV= Insurance County Championship so far this season, but his glove work has been impressive.
At close on day two of the ongoing rain-affected clash with Kent at Emerald Headingley, his 16 dismissals behind the stumps – all catches – is the joint third best haul in the 2021 Championship.
Only Tom Moores (22), John Simpson and Steve Davies (both with 20) have more.
Shaw, who has largely been working two days a week during winters and more sporadically during summers, was present at Headingley on day one as part of the BBC local radio commentary team.
He said: “Watching Tatts, his rhythm, his movement, his timing, his glove work, they all looked really really good.”
Birkhead and Duke, aged 22 and 19 respectively, have split the wicketkeeping duties in the second team this season and have both scored half-centuries.
Birkhead has played one List A and one T20 game in his career, while former England Under 19 Duke is yet to make his first-team debut.
