The committe is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Tyler as A-Grade captain for season 2007/08. Sam replaces outgoing captain Will Rayner, who is unlikely to play two-day cricket this summer due to family and work commitments. The committee would like to thank Will for his contribution as captain last year.

Sam Tyler has an impressive sporting background, having represented the state at both an underage cricket and hockey level. Sam, a former Kensington District Cricket player, has now played for the club since 2002, broken only by a year in England. In that time, he has played 40 club games and scored over 1,100 club runs at a healthy average of 25.09. This includes a highest score of 103 and five half-centures - a record that Sam no doubt hopes to build upon this season. Sam is also a handy part-time bowler, somewhat underutilised in his time at the club and has captured 12 wickets at an average of just under 40. And to cap off his all-round ability, Sam has won the Olsson Family Trophy for A-Grade Fielding three times, in 2002/03, 2004/05 and 2006/07.

Sam has an accomplished leadership background, having captained both the First XI Cricket and Hockey teams in Year 12. Along with this, Sam was vice-captain of Cricket in 2000 and played First XI/Intercols in both Cricket and Hockey in Years 10, 11 and 12 (1999, 2000 and 2001). Sam was also the captain of cricket and hockey in Years 8, 9 and 10 and led a 15-man squad to England on an International Cricket Tour in 2001. Sam also received Colours in both Cricket and Hockey in 1999 and Honours Colours in Hockey in 2001.

The committee is excited by Sam's appointment and looks forward to his contribution throughout season 2007/08.

Joining Sam as vice-captain this season will be Michael Richardson. Michael replaces Greg Carmody whose work commitments will prevent him from taking a leadership role this year. We thank Greg for his contribution and hope to see him on board again this year in the A-Grade.

Michael's cricketing career has been a meteoric rise. Michael only took up cricket after finishing Year 12 and has now played 53 matches for the club. During this time, Michael has accumulated 1,253 runs at an average of 20.54. Last season was his most impressive yet, topping the club's batting aggregate with 500 runs even at an average of 41.67. This included his first two centuries for the club, including a maiden A-Grade hundred and along the way, Richo has scored six 50's. During his time, Michael has also tried his hand at part-time off-spin bowling, a foray last year into wicket-keeping and he professes to be a master of the reverse sweep. This season, Michael will no doubt hope to become a regular contributor of runs in the A's.

Michael also has leadership experience, having captained the Drive Tennis Team in Year 12. He was also a part of this team in Years 9, 10 and 11 and earned Colours for Tennis. We look forward to seeing plenty of runs from Richo this season.

Joining Sam and Michael will be former captain Chris Drew. Chris has been given the role of acting captain in the event that Sam is unavailable.

Chris needs no introduction, having captained the A-Grade for five years from 2001/02 to 2005/06. Chris, a recently appointed life member of the club, is a genuine all-rounder having scored just short of 2,000 club runs (at an average of 24.56) and taken 126 wickets at 20.95.

Chris is a dual Redman winner (2001/02 and 2006/07), a dual winner of the Ted Norman Cup for A-Grade Batting (2001/02 and 2006/07), a dual winner of the A-Grade Bowling trophy (2004/05 and 2006/07) and a winner of the Moffat Family Trophy for Best Clubman (2002/03).

Please keep an eye on the website over the next couple of weeks as there will be more announcements forthcoming regarding season 2007/08.