Devon Cricket Board - Stein installed as Plymouth captain

Stein installed as Plymouth captain

SAM Stein will skipper Premier outfit Plymouth in 2015 following the departure of Matt Hooper.
Hooper, who skippered Plymouth for two seasons, led the city side to second place in the Premier Division last summer. It was Plymouth’s highest top-flight finish since 1987, when they were runners up to Barton.
The opportunity of a work move to Hampshire, where he used to live before moving to Plymouth, proved too good to ignore.
Seam bowler Stein (pictured) was the overwhelming choice of the players as the new captain and he plans to follow Hooper’s example in many areas.
“We have been building a strong squad around local players and getting our youngsters involved,” said Stein.
“There can’t have been too many Premier sides whose bowling line-up included 15 and 17 year olds last season, but we did.
“Hal Kerton, Dan Goody, John Kerridge and Joe Hagan-Burt all had opportunities last season under Matt and that will continue.”
Stein started playing at Plymouth as a 15 year old in 2005 and by 2008 was getting games in the 2^nd XI.
He has been a regular in the 1^st XI since 2011 and has also appeared for the Devon Lions Development XI.
Stein said it was an indication of how good Plymouth are at bringing on young players that the Devon management keep turning to them for Lions candidates.
“Tim Western as the Lions’ head coach has been a massive help to Plymouth,” said Stein.
“I have benefited massively from Lions coaching, as have a number of players including James Toms, Rob Bennett, Hal Kerton, John Kerridge, Dan Goody, Jake Luffman.”
Plymouth are currently looking for another overseas player to replace Gionne Koopman, the rising South African side who batted and bowled off-spin last season.
“We are looking for someone similar from the same place.”
Hooper played in the Southern League for Andover up to 2009 when he moved to Plymouth and will be returning there this summer.
The former Hampshire U19 and U21 off-spinner said it was hard leaving his friends behind in Plymouth and he would always remember his time at Mount Wise with affection.
“I was really fortunate to play for Plymouth at the time I did, with the new ground, pavilion and nets happening in my five years,” said Hooper (below).
“I made some great friends at the club and they were a huge part of me enjoying my time in Plymouth so much.
“I also played in some great sides, I had one second place finish and two thirds but never had enough to get really close to winning it.
“Plymouth is a proper cricket club, picking local players and spending a lot of time creating their own players, my kind of club.
“In my time as captain we regularly had two teenagers holding their own opening the batting and bowling which is great news for Plymouth but also for Devon, that's what it was all about for me.
“My highlight as captain was Tim Western phoning me about the Plymouth players in the Lions squad, we ended up speaking about nine players, the only people he didn't speak about were me and our overseas player.”
Hooper said the Plymouth ethos was another thing he was impressed by
“I enjoyed being captain as we had a good, young team, but I also got to be part of a committee that cared passionately for the club and worked tirelessly to keep improving it for its members,” he said.
“I hope I contributed, both on and off the field.”
Hooper’s last word was to say Plymouth had made the right choice going for Stein as his replacement.
“I am sure Sam will do a great job as captain as he is very well liked at the club and he puts others interests before his own,” said Hooper.
“I hope the club continues to progress as it did while I was there.”

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