Herefordshire Cricket Announce New National Counties Team Captain

20 Jan 2026   |   By Richard Prime

HEREFORDSHIRE Cricket have appointed Luke Tulacz as captain of their National Counties team.

Tulacz, 24, who started his cricket with Bartestree & Lugwardine and then Brockhampton before moving on to Birmingham League side Halesowen, takes over from Matt Pardoe.

Tulacz becomes only the county’s sixth captain since Herefordshire joined the National Counties in 1992, following Richard Skyrme, Harshad Patel, Chris Boroughs, Dave Exall and Pardoe.

“It’s an absolute honour to be asked to captain Herefordshire,” said Tulacz, who bats in the middle order.

“I always take great pride in walking out to play for the Bulls, and being Herefordshire born and bred makes this captaincy even more special.

“Although we have lost a few key players, we have maintained a strong squad coming out of a successful 2025 campaign.

“We also have multiple squad members currently playing in Australia, crafting their game, who will be in great nick when we start the season in April.

“These next few months will be key for the remaining squad members to prepare and get themselves ready for our first fixtures.”

Pardoe is now a teacher in High Wycombe, a move which has prompted his move to Buckinghamshire.

Work commitments have also caused Ollie Walker to transfer his allegiance closer to home in Staffordshire, where seamer Sam Keeling-Wright will also be playing his cricket in 2026.

“While it is a bad blow to lose these three players, particularly Pardoe and Walker who have been excellent performers for Herefordshire over a number of seasons, we are delighted to have Luke to lead our side and to have signed George Rhodes for the coming campaign,” said Herefordshire chairman Richard Prime.

“George had a long first-class career with Worcestershire and Leicestershire and knows the National Counties set-up well after playing for several seasons with Suffolk.

“He is a player of high quality with bat and ball and will be a great asset to us.”

For games when Rhodes is not available, Herefordshire will be able to call on the services of Alexei Kervezee, like Rhodes a former Worcestershire all-rounder.

Kervezee, who has joined Worcestershire’s coaching staff, captained Buckinghamshire last season.

Herefordshire will begin their season with a friendly against Worcestershire Academy at Kidderminster on Sunday, April 12.

CAPTION: Luke Tulacz batting against Wiltshire at Eastnor in 2025.