Verrall new captain for Centrals

Jason Verrall has been appointed captain of Central Districts for the upcoming A grade Ipswich cricket season.

File

CENTRAL Districts are going back to the future in their pursuit of success this summer.

They have gone for a new captain in 36-year-old stalwart Jason Verrall to guide a crop of players half his age.

“I put my hand up to take it on,” Verrall said.

“It is something I always wanted to do. The club just needed a bit of leadership and I thought I was the right man for the job.”

Verrall was a Centrals player when the club originated in 1990-91, before moving to North Queensland a decade ago.

He came back two seasons ago and played in the Division Two grand final.

Last year he was a regular in the Division One team until injury kept him out for the second half of the season.

The biggest challenge Verrall faces as skipper is helping a generation of talented youngsters make the transition to the top grade.

With last year’s captain Duane Blake injured, his predecessor Jason O’Sullivan yet to commit and experienced players Steven and Andrew Doyle having left, Verrall has no choice but to rely on youth.

He will have former Division One captain Mark Ryan back to help him.

Ryan has been out of the game for about five years but work circumstances have allowed the left-hand batsman to resume his cricketing career.

When Centrals found their first grade team split by internal divisions that resulted in O’Sullivan quitting for the season, it seemed they were in store for a painful summer.

However, it enabled them to blood a number of youngsters who proved they were up for the challenge.

The likes of fast bowler Reece O’Sullivan, spinner Luke Barrett and batsman Dave Boland should all be better for the experience this summer.

Unfortunately, another of Centrals’ brightest young stars, Jordan Johnson, has left to try his hand in the Brisbane competition.

Verrall is placing neither expectation nor limitation on his young brigade.

“The young fellas we tried last year proved capable,” Verrall said.

“We might be a bowler or two short but I’m confident with the young fellas we can make up for it.

“We’ll go into every game trying to win. If, at the end of the year we’re in a position to play for a place in the final, it will be good.”

Verrall also needs his vice-captain Nick Vellacott to assume the mantle of senior player, though he is only 19.

“We’re looking to him to be a leader of the club in the future,” Verrall said.