Ben Draper works a shot to leg [Roy Honeybone]
Ben Draper will captain South Wilts in the ECB Southern Premier League this summer.
The 22-year old batsman/wicketkeeper served his ‘apprenticeship’ in last season's covid abridged Southern League Cup competition and has now been handed the job full-time.
It’s a task he’s warming to, eagerly crossing off the days before South Wilts can begin outdoor training, hopefully by the Easter weekend.
“It's a great honour to be appointed South Wilts 1st team captain for the upcoming season,” he said. “Last year was a great opportunity with the shortened season to see how it felt being captain and possibly think about doing in the 2021 season and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“We have a very talented group of players at South Wilts and I'm sure there will be lots of competition for places as we head towards the first scheduled round of league matches against Bashley (Rydal).
“George Edwards, who had a great half-season with the bat in Adelaide before Christmas, and offie Tom Lewis, who broke into the League Cup side at the end of last season, are two youngsters I’m looking forward to working with.
Talent
“Jack Mynott will probably be away at Eastbourne College until July, but Raff Hussey has indicated his total availability, which is good news as he’s a real talent.
Draper, who first played for South Wilts fourths as a 12-year old barely out of short pants, hails from a good cricket stock with his near enough retired father Paul a lead all-rounder with Calmore Sports and a regular pick for the Southern League’s representative sides in his prime.
He’ll be totally involved on the field, not only as captain, but also batting in the top order and keeping wicket.
“It will be demanding, but will concentrate my mind, there’s no question about that.
“Fortunately, I’ll have hugely experienced guys like Tom Morton and James Hayward to turn to,” he added.
But Draper junior does have two Premier Division centuries to his name and has been prominent in the club’s run scoring stakes in each of the past four seasons.
South Wilts expect to play three weekends of friendly matches – hopefully starting with a t20 double header against Wiltshire at Bemerton on Easter Sunday - before the Southern Premier League campaign begins.
But until such times as the government gives the green light for cricket to resume, the club is unable to announce any firm dates for training, etc.
The 22-year old batsman/wicketkeeper served his ‘apprenticeship’ in last season's covid abridged Southern League Cup competition and has now been handed the job full-time.
It’s a task he’s warming to, eagerly crossing off the days before South Wilts can begin outdoor training, hopefully by the Easter weekend.
“It's a great honour to be appointed South Wilts 1st team captain for the upcoming season,” he said. “Last year was a great opportunity with the shortened season to see how it felt being captain and possibly think about doing in the 2021 season and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“We have a very talented group of players at South Wilts and I'm sure there will be lots of competition for places as we head towards the first scheduled round of league matches against Bashley (Rydal).
“George Edwards, who had a great half-season with the bat in Adelaide before Christmas, and offie Tom Lewis, who broke into the League Cup side at the end of last season, are two youngsters I’m looking forward to working with.
Talent
“Jack Mynott will probably be away at Eastbourne College until July, but Raff Hussey has indicated his total availability, which is good news as he’s a real talent.
Draper, who first played for South Wilts fourths as a 12-year old barely out of short pants, hails from a good cricket stock with his near enough retired father Paul a lead all-rounder with Calmore Sports and a regular pick for the Southern League’s representative sides in his prime.
He’ll be totally involved on the field, not only as captain, but also batting in the top order and keeping wicket.
“It will be demanding, but will concentrate my mind, there’s no question about that.
“Fortunately, I’ll have hugely experienced guys like Tom Morton and James Hayward to turn to,” he added.
But Draper junior does have two Premier Division centuries to his name and has been prominent in the club’s run scoring stakes in each of the past four seasons.
South Wilts expect to play three weekends of friendly matches – hopefully starting with a t20 double header against Wiltshire at Bemerton on Easter Sunday - before the Southern Premier League campaign begins.
But until such times as the government gives the green light for cricket to resume, the club is unable to announce any firm dates for training, etc.
