Wendouree’s Gavin Webb will take the mantle as captain from Cole Roscholler as the Red Caps new skipper for the 2017-18 BCA first grade season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Roscholler indicated he would take a step from the role due to work commitments, but he will remain a key part of Wendouree’s first XI.
Webb, who has been at the club for 17 seasons, said there was no need to reinvent the wheel given the club’s successful recent history. Last year’s premiership marked its sixth flag since 2008-09, in among a host of finals appearances.
Last year’s gone, we’ve got to look to improve.
- Newly-appointment Red Caps skipper Gavin Webb
Webb said his focus would be on continuing to strive for improvement to hold off what is a fierce chase-pack of clubs hoping to steal the Red Caps’ crown.
“I’m looking forward to it, it will be a good challenge,” Webb said.
“Last year’s gone, we’ve got to look to improve.
“Keep steering it along as it has been for a while at the club and put my own spin on it. But there’s nothing too much that we need to change, just strive to improve.”
Webb said his style of captaincy would differ to Roscholler’s, but only slightly. He anticipated minimal change to the way Wendouree operates at first grade level and said the main thing was to continue to build a winning culture.
Webb added while he held the title as skipper, he would draw upon the Red Caps’ wealth of leaders throughout the season. One of which being Liam Brady, who has been named vice-captain.
“I’ll bring a few different things to the role, every captain is different, but obviously we’ve got some structures set-up at the club that work really well, I wouldn’t be changing too much.
“Whether you’ve been there for 15 years or you’re new to the club, just buying into our culture which we believe is pretty strong and hopefully the results will look after themselves from there.
Webb said a key factor to Wendouree defending its title and taking its cricket to another level would be the development of its youngsters.
The Red Caps have a fruitful junior program and they are hoping to reap the rewards next season as a number of juniors graduate to the senior ranks.
“We’ve got a lot of younger players coming through, we’ve got a good mix of experience.
“I think our whole bowling attack last year was under 21...and there’s some younger guys in the seconds that will hopefully push up and get an opportunity.
“We’ll look to improve across the whole board, it’s not all about the first XI, right down to the juniors.”
Webb has filled in as captain at times over the years, but has not captained a side since representative cricket as a 21-year-old.
The Red Caps will begin their pre-season in mid-August.