WHEN it came to appointing a new captain for the Allansford Cricket Club, one name immediately jumped to selectors’ minds:
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Ben Boyd.
The celebrated Allansford bowler will take over from Nick Maddison for the 2016/17 summer as the Gators eye a return to finals.
Boyd, 37, said he was excited to lead the club for the first time.
“I haven’t been a club captain for six years, maybe longer,” he said.
“Now I’m keen to go again.”
While it will be Boyd’s first season in charge at Allansford, he previously coached during his time at Russells Creek.
He said he was keen to see the Gators push for finals again after showing promising signs but falling short last summer.
“Two years ago we were very competitive, last year we just seemed to be a bit lethargic heading into the season,” he said.
“We had many players play in the (Warrnambool and District football league) reserve premiership, so preparation was a little bit shorter than most clubs and it probably showed through a little bit.
“Last year we were all available and in good form – we beat Port Fairy three weeks out from finals … I think our best cricket last year was still quite good.”
Allansford club president Keith Ellerton said Boyd had been the obvious choice for the role, especially after captaining Victoria in the Country Cricket Championships and being named captain of the national country team.
“He really understands the playing group and he’s very good with the juniors as well,” Ellerton said.
“He’s got a wealth of experience. He’s played cricket in Melbourne for two or three years in his younger days and he’s gained a lot of experience from a wide source of people he’s played with.”
Boyd has already been busy bolstering Allansford’s playing stocks.
Kyall Timms will return to the club after a year away, Panmure star Chris Bant will be vice-captain, Purnim’s Luke Ryan has also switched associations and Mitch Clark will join the club after moving to the area from Leongatha.
Ellerton said the club was thrilled to have three-time club champion Timms back.
“He’s a lot like Ben, we know what we’ll get with him,” Ellerton said.
“As a batsman, you get 100 per cent and as a bowler, you get 100 per cent.
“They just work together beautifully.”
Bant has captained Panmure in the Grassmere Cricket Association and played at Bendigo country week.
Clark will add to Allansford’s batting stocks, while Ryan shapes up as a potential opening bowler.
