Thank you Sam!

It has been a big week at Kimberley Institute Cricket Club. After a successful result against Ratcliffe on Saturday which saw us pick up 18 points in a strong winning draw, and move ourselves firmly into the mid-table pack, on Monday came the news that Sam Ogrizovic was to stand down as captain after four and half years in charge.

While for many this will have come as a big shock, being close to Sam I know that he has been feeling for a while that it might be soon time to take a break from leading the side, a role which can be all-consuming at times due to the pressure and sheer volume of time that it requires.

For me personally, it was a very sad day on Monday, as it was Sam who brought me to Kimberley and he who has really helped drive me to become a better bowler since joining. Not only that, but Sam has been an exceptional club captain, who has led his players with intelligence, passion, courage and a damn right determination that they would become a better side, and hopefully with it, successful.  The work that Sam has put in as captain has now laid the foundations for the club to become a real success on the pitch, with this young talented team starting to show the signs that they can fulfil some of that promise.

Sam Ogrizovic, a great leader and good friend

I know that Sam is now looking forward to enjoying his cricket ‘back in the ranks’ so to speak, and with his wedding to look forward to to the wonderful Victoria in the Autumn, the rest of 2014 will no doubt be a fantastic time for him, not least because I know he will continue to deliver the type of performances that have made him the league’s best wicketkeeper batsman, and those performances will be crucial in us achieving our goals.

While I said I was sad to see Sam step down, I am also really looking forward to supporting new skipper Alex King in the role. ‘Kingy’, had a great first season with the ball at Kimberley last year, and this year has also shown what a capable batsman he can be. He now has to add the strategic capabilities of captaincy to his blossoming talents. I know that he has everything he needs to be successful. He certainly won’t be lacking in any support or help from those around him.

We now have two important league fixtures before we reach the half-way point in the season. With both games being away from home against teams in a similar situation to ourselves, we know that we will need to be on top of our game as we were on Saturday if we are to walk away with a good points haul. Yet that is no doubt where our challenge is. We have to be more consistent. This is always a challenge with young teams, but we must rise to that challenge if we want to be competing in the right half of the table.

I am sure you would join me in saying thank you to Sam for being a fantastic leader and ambassador for our club, who recognised his role was not confined to the playing aspects of the 1^st XI, but having a vision for what the cricket club should be like and knowing all the members in the club from the juniors to stalwart spectators, and taking an interest in each and every one of them. I also wish Alex best of luck in the new role. I know that cricket at Kimberley will continue to be in good hands.