Insert Caption

1. I became Captain in 2008, having joined Cannock in 2005. I had previously played for Stafford in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Premier Cricket league for 15 seasons. Becoming Captain gave me a new challenge in maintaining Cannock Cricket Club’s status in the Birmingham league. Personally, it also gave me the opportunity to lead the team and get the best out of my players.

Is the role what you expected it to be?

 2.Largely, yes, but I didn’t expect the high volume of meetings. I prefer to concentrate my efforts on the field. In 2009, I appointed a Team Manager, David Mayer, to assist in player issues, meetings and general psychological and physiological aspects of increasing player performance. David has also assisted greatly in the smooth running of the squad including facilitating all player requirements.

What is the most enjoyable part of captaining you club?

 3.I enjoy assisting new, existing and younger player’s progress into established first team players. I also enjoy helping overseas players develop in the UK, replicating Cannock’s signing of Kevin Pietersen as their overseas player in 2000, who has since gone on to Captain England and play for many counties in England!  This year we welcome Jake Lehmann, son of Darren Lehmann (Yorkshire and Australia). We are excited to have him on board for the 2011 season.

What was your most memorable win at the club either as captain or before you took over?

 4.On 26 July 2009, Cannock played against a strong Wolverhampton side in the quarter final of the Staffordshire County Cup. This rearranged fixture required a result on the day however due to a deluge of rain, we were unable to play. As a result, we had to select bowlers to participate in getting a result out of the game according to cup rules. After drawing 4-4, this went to sudden death. Unusually, this was the most memorable win for me at Cannock, eventually winning 5-4 on a bowl out, with part time bowler Will Fleet our unexpected hero. We went onto reach the final the same year only to be beaten by an Audley replacement overseas in a certain Lou Vincent!

What is you main goal as captain?

 5.After finishing fourth in the last two seasons, this year’s goal is to get the side promoted into Division One of the Birmingham District Premier Cricket League.

How do you find the format of cricket that you play in your league?

 6.It’s been a longstanding argument from many that one day cricket should be win/lose at Premier League level as is currently the case in County Cricket One Day matches. This would do away with teams purely setting up to draw a game, which takes out the competition of teams going all out for a win on every occasion. Cannock have always been of the mindset that if a game is there to be won, we would purely go out and try to win; our scorecards show this to be the case.

Who is the team badger and why?

 7.As the Captain, clearly this can’t be my role (!!) but as Wicket Keeper, I play some part of the banter that goes on, as it does on cricket fields all over the world. We have great team spirit with characters such as Richard Hewitt, Josh Bowker and David Womble all contributing to the badgering that takes place.

What plans are in place to ensure that the success of your club is sustainable?

 8. Chairman Jamie Fleet, along with Club Secretary Graham Machin, have been instrumental in creating an environment for my role as Captain to build and formulate the team. This, along with our established Youth Development setup enables Cannock to both attract and bring through the ranks both male and female players of all abilities and ages. Further first team plans include the signing of Jake Lehmann to bolster our all round abilities of the vastly experienced David Womble, along with the batting skills of Richard Hewitt, Abdul Salom and Will Fleet. With bowlers such as Josh Bowker, who I’m sure this season will be playing Minor Counties Cricket for Staffordshire, taking the new ball, as well as Adeel Khan, a Worcester CC academy player, a new signing from the Avon league, and the ever improving Matthew Robinson, the balance of the side is greatly improved. We are always on the lookout for new players and with many other younger players coming through, 2011 is looking like a very bright and exciting year for Cannock CC! 

Many thanks and we wish you and Cannock all the best for the coming season.