“A team at this level needs captains and leaders in all areas of the field”
Fabio Capello
After the two most successful seasons in ‘Canes history under the glorious leadership of Griff, the experiment of training others up in good captaincy was starting to bear fruit. Both Badger and COB had had less than impressive records as captain in the last few years with both winning less than half the games under their charge. It was as if they were young boys with new bikes, they needed stabilizers to get around the park. Yes they wobbled, struggled to go around corners. Sometimes they fell off and grazed their elbows, but they gained confidence from every run, wicket and catch. They were allowed to develop and refine skills in uncompetitive friendlys and had the opportunity to watch the master at work in the unbeaten league and cup season of 2009.
This year was the time to take the stabilizers off, stand behind them and let them think I was still holding the back of the bike. I wasn’t! All their hard work and the patience shown by the team has seen a dramatic change in their performance. Both have big victories in competitive matches and individuals are starting to accept them as leaders.
This match, captained by Dave, was against the old enemy the Chavs. With 3 captains on the pitch and everyone contributing with bat or ball the result was never in doubt. A good start with quick runs from Jaffa and Imran. The pace slowed until Griff and Dave entered and a score of 154 was set in 18 overs.
Wickets fell at a steady pace and when the big hitting Irish left hander was dismissed by Imran and Jim took care of Marchant with a caught and bowled the game was all but over. Despite this Jaffa still wanted a say, no doubt keen to impress one of his captains he took the ball in the penultimate over and left with a hat trick, a catch, clean bowled and an LBW.
The future looks bright; the future looks ‘Caned.
Yours, sometimes not your captain but always your leader, Griff.