Devon Cricket Board - Bovey name Fairbairn as new skipper

Bovey name Fairbairn as new skipper

BOVEY Tracey will have a new 1^st XI captain next season as they chase a first Premier Division title since 2002.
Peter Bradley has led the side for the past four seasons, taking them to third in the table every time.
Devon all-rounder Bradley feels he can’t go any further with the team and has handed over to vice-captain Andy Fairbairn.
Fairbairn, who joined the club in 2003, is a level three ECB coach and cricket development manager for Somerset.
And the new man hopes to build on what Bradley has achieved when he takes over the helm.
“Bovey Tracey have a lot to thank the Bradleys for – not just Peter but his brother Chris, who was captain for five years before him,” said Fairbairn (pictured left).
“When I joined the club it was the year after Bovey had won the Premier Division, that side had broken up acrimoniously and we were relegated without winning a game.
“The following year we were very nearly relegated from the A Division, which was when Chris took over as captain.
“Under the Bradleys the club has gone from the bottom of the A Division to regularly featuring a the top of the Premier again.
“They have done a great job and the challenge for me is to take the club on to the next level.
“Part of my role as I see it is to bring on tomorrow’s 1^st XI as well.
“Looking around the dressing room there are a number of players – the Bradleys, myself, Ryan Bougourd and Ben Ayres – who have been around since the dark days in the A Division and are now capable of putting in regular match-winning performances.
“It is easy to forget that’s now 11 or 12 seasons ago and we won’t be around for ever, or available every week in future as family commitments are now involved.
“I want to see the 15-18 year olds coming through the ranks playing in the 2^nd XI and following the likes of Sam Wyatt-Haines into the 1^st XI. They are the future of the club.”
Peter Bradley will carry on as Bovey Tracey’s club captain with a coaching role and responsibility for work on the ground.
Bradley said he had gone as far as he could and the time was right for some fresh ideas.
“Third every year isn’t a bad record, but to get any higher we need some new direction,” said Bradley, pictured, right.
“Andy coming in as captain is part of a new approach we intend to take next year.
“As well as Andy we will be bringing in another level three coach to work with the players on training nights. We need a bit more structure, rather than the 1^st XI pitching up and doing their own thing independently of the seconds, thirds and fourths.
“That person will also play in the 2^nd XI to help bring on the youngsters, but not as captain. James Mason has stood down from that post and Arren deYoung has taken over.”
Bovey are close to finalising an overseas player for 20134 to replace Damien Bourke, who topped 500 runs in the Premier last year.
Bradley said there were no plans to replace former Devon captain Neil Hancock as match day professional.
Hancock has left to join South Devon and Bradley said he went with the best wishes of all at Bovey Tracey.
“We would have liked Neil to stay in some capacity, but understand his reasons for going and are confident we can make up his runs and wickets from within,” said Bradley.
“Neil has been a model professional during his two years with us and I am sure he will help South Devon turn things around.”
South Devon have suffered two successive relegations into the C Division and have brought Hancock in hoping he can revive their fortunes.

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