Dalin Richardson has shown the sort of potential that Cup Match champions Somerset have waiting in the wings.

The 17-year-old all-rounder struck an unbeaten 100 from 129 balls, which included 15 fours and two sixes, batting at No 6 for the President’s XI in the final trial on Saturday.

“Dalin scored a very good hundred and has actually scored two hundreds this year,” Jeff Richardson, the Somerset coach and former Cup Match player, said. “The talent is there, of course, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching him this year.”

It is believed that Richardson, whose father, Dwayne, is a former Southampton Rangers footballer, is the first player to score a century in a final trial and still be overlooked for a spot in the playing XI.

“Back in the day, you score a hundred in the final trial, it’s almost immediate selection,” Jeff Richardson said. “But we don’t think his mindset is actually ready for Cup Match this year.”

Dalin Richardson has instead been named among the three reserves in Somerset’s team who will defend the cup on home turf this week.

The youngster is coming off of a busy weekend, having also featured in the Somerset team who surrendered Colts Cup Match after suffering a three-wicket defeat against St George’s at Somerset on Sunday.

On this occasion, Richardson scored 19, batting at No 5, and claimed two for 29.

The player’s potential is a ray of hope for the future of Somerset’s youthful club side, who were relegated from the One 50 Overs Premier Division this season.

“It’s been a difficult season for me because if you look at the make-up of my team it is an extremely young team,” the coach said. “I have a 14-year-old, a 15-year-old, a couple of 17 and 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old, with Jordan [captain Jordan DeSilva] as the oldest at 28, and then the next oldest is 23 so I am lacking a lot of experience.”

Somerset lost the services of experienced players Jekon Edness, Jacobi Robinson, Pierre Smith and Kwasi James in recent seasons and started this year’s league campaign missing players through school commitments abroard.

The club also had to cope with the absences of experienced pair Justin Corday and Marcus Johnson, through injury and work commitments for the entire season.

“We are going to continue to struggle if we don’t get two or three senior players to help these guys develop a bit faster,” Jeff Richardson said. “Going into the First Division may be the best thing.”