Grant Elliott has been named as Captain of the Wellington Firebirds for the 2010/11 domestic cricket season.
Elliott takes over from previous skipper Matthew Bell and will lead the Firebirds in all three forms of the game – the Plunket Shield first-class four day competition, the 50-over one day competition, and the HRV Cup Twenty20 competition.
In a double change, Jeetan Patel takes over from Neal Parlane as the Firebirds’ vice-captain.
Elliott, who was Wellington’s Player of the Year two years in succession before missing almost all of last season with a knee injury, says he is eager to lead the Firebirds from the front.
He expects the strength of the Firebirds management and senior players will make his transition from player to captain straightforward.
“Naturally everyone’s disappointed with the performance of the team last season,” he says, “but with change comes greater enthusiasm, and we’re all extremely keen to turn things around together.
“Fortunately we’ve got a top management support structure, led by Head Coach Anthony Stuart, and an experienced group of senior players aged in their late 20s and early 30s who are all at their peak of their games.”
“There are also some excellent young players emerging in Wellington, such as Harry Boam, Ili Tugaga, Josh Brodie, Michael Pollard, and Joe Austin-Smellie, just to name a few. I am very keen to help develop these players in to top first-class cricketers.”
“I think we have a top mix of talent, and we can use that to our advantage in putting last season’s frustrating summer behind us.”
“The goal is of course to win all three competitions and I’ll be trying my hardest as skipper to help us achieve these goals.”
31-year old Elliott has extensive captaincy experience from youth level in South Africa, having captained school and representative sides growing up and captained the South Africa Academy side before moving to New Zealand in 2001. He initially settled in Christchurch and had a stint captaining Canterbury A before his move to Wellington.
Wellington Firebirds Head Coach Anthony Stuart is upbeat about Elliott’s appointment.
“Grant has an extremely positive personality and possesses a professional, never-say-die attitude on the field, which all the players look up to and respect,” says Stuart.
“Grant is one of a number of players whose season was thwarted by injury and I know he is very determined to come back strongly in 2010/11 and lead the Firebirds in to a new era of success.”
Stuart also acknowledges the leadership contribution of previous captain Matthew Bell.
“Belly will continue to play a leading role in the team this season. His experience as a captain and top quality opening batsman is invaluable and he will be an integral part of the Firebirds, even with Grant now at the helm.”
Bell took over the captaincy reins from Michael Parlane at the end of 2006/07 and has led Wellington for the past two seasons. Prior to that Bell was previously Wellington’s captain for six consecutive seasons, leading the Firebirds to the domestic First-Class title in 2000/01 and again in 2003/04.
Stuart says that in the event that New Zealand Cricket centrally contracted players Elliott and Patel are unavailable for the Firebirds due to international selections, other senior players such as will fill the captaincy role.
“We are very lucky to have senior leaders such as Matthew and Neal, and the likes of James Franklin and Luke Woodcock, who can take the reins if and when required”, Stuart said.
Grant Elliott – record for Wellington:
Debut 2005/06
Wellington Player of the Year 2006/07 and 2007/08.
First Class Plunket Shield
Matches: 26, innings 38, runs 1312, HS 196, average 37.4, 100s 4, 50s 7; wickets 39, BB 3-44.
Domestic One-Day competition
Matches 32, innings 26, runs 790, HS 107*, average 41.57, 100s 1, 50s 5; wickets 41, BB 5-34
Twenty20 HRV Cup
Matches 11, innings 11, runs 233, HS 57, average 33.28, 50s 2; wickets 6, BB 2-25
