The season is rapidly approaching and with the AGM deciding that a programme of rolling Captains will be used, I thought it was high time to get everyone thinking about what is required if you wish to Captain.

Some view the Captain’s job as a walk in the park and others view it as more stressful than a position on the Northern Rock board at the time of the credit crunch. Well the truth is, it is somewhere in between.

When the team are performing things always seem to run very smoothly. But when things are going against the team, it is the Captain that really feels the pressure.

Below is my opinion of what a Captain needs to be doing for Rosaneri CC:

• Most importantly you are responsible for ensuring that all representatives of the club on the day behave and keep up the excellent reputation of the club. This includes making sure that our team play is always within the spirit of the game.
• Greeting the opposition Captain and liaising with him throughout the day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Making sure that basic duties such as scoring and umpiring are allocated on a fair basis and crack the whip where necessary.
• Ensuring that all Rosaneri players feel involved on the day and that nobody feels left out.
• Select the batting order to make us competitive, but also to appreciate fairness in the order.
• Make bowling changes to keep pace with the match situation as it evolves, and also to ensure that bowlers are communicated with.
• Be capable of setting and adjusting fields in conjunction with the bowlers needs.
• Encourage players, but also take responsibility if someone needs to be told that they have stepped out of line.
• Have responsibility for collecting the match fee from all players.

A successful Captain should be judged not by winning matches, but by how well they competed with what they had to work with.

This season a further challenge has been presented to any prospective Captain’s by the advent of timed matches. I honestly believe that the Captain’s job has been made as least twice as hard by games being timed rather than being played under normal limited overs rules.

In a timed match the Captain has the added uncertainty of how long to bat for if we bat first, and also has the extra responsibility of informing batsmen of when to chase runs or when to pull the shutters down for a draw if we are batting second.

If the Captain gets it tactically wrong he can ruin the mood of the day, but if he gets it right he can live as a legend for years to come.

If you are up for the challenge and fancy taking up the responsibility then please email admin@rosanericricket.co.uk so that the selectors are aware of your interest. Anyone is welcome to have a go including ad hoc players. On the day you will be supported by a senior pro acting as a vice captain, so if it does all become too much you do not need to fear embarrassment.