Orange City has entrusted its 2016-17 Orange District Cricket Association title hopes to an entirely untested leadership duo this summer, after handing Craig Rogan the captaincy and naming Ed Morrish his deputy.
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Rogan has been handed the reigns in what will be his fourth season as a Warrior after joining the club from the University of Newcastle Seadragons in 2013-14, where he won a first grade title.
Morrish on the other hand, returns to the Warriors after a summer bowling on the Mitchell Highway-like pitches of Dubbo.
This summer will be the first time in some years the Warriors have opted to appoint leaders who haven’t done the job in the past.
“I’m really excited, I’m really looking forward to it,” Rogan said.
“The captaincy, or at least putting my hand up for it, is something I’ve thought about doing for the last couple of seasons and after speaking to a few of the more senior guys around the club it seemed like the right time to do it.”
Rogan refused to say he’d bring the Warriors their first premiership since 2012-13, instead outlining his plan for the side’s approach to cricket.
Like so many captains before him, he said he’s confident if the side sticks to its plans and enjoys their cricket, results will take care of themselves.
“It’s mainly about positivity for me,” Rogan said.
“I think if we’re positive in the way we prepare and the way we play, while enjoying our cricket, we’ll do well. And, as always with the Warriors, there’s a focus on being good opponents too.”
At this stage, Rogan has made his intentions regarding the Twenty20 Royal Hotel Cup clear – he will not lead that side unless absolutely necessary.
“Craig’s also club captain, so he’s got plenty of responsibility already, we support that decision and are looking forward to seeing him in a more defined leadership role,” Orange City assistant secretary Matt Findlay, himself a former skipper, said.
“He’s been around the club for some time and is well respected by everyone, so he’s a perfect fit really. He’ll bring a fresh point of view and leadership style, and it might be exactly what we need to move back to the top.
“For Ed, it’s a great chance for him to assume more responsibility now he’s back at the club. He’s already doing so at training, which is great.”
In other big news for the club Bathurst, Mitchell Cricket Council and Western Zone gun Josh Toole has signalled his intentions to return as a marquee player in the Royal Hotel Cup, for a second straight season.
The ODCA season kicks off on Saturday, October 8.
