Former Redbacks bowler Elliot Opie is Kensington’s new captain, taking over from Jake Brown
Grade cricket’s reigning champion is ushering in a new era with a change in captaincy for the first time since 2008.
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A grade cricket club will head into its upcoming season with a new captain for the first time in more than a decade.
Former Redbacks quick Elliot Opie will skipper Kensington, taking over from three-time Bradman Medallist Jake Brown.
Brown skippered Kensington for the past 11 years, rounding it off with last season’s two-day title win against Adelaide.
But he decided to step away from the captaincy after his partner Megan gave birth to the couple’s first child, Alexander Phillip Brown, last month.
Although the 33-year-old right-hand batsman has relinquished the captaincy, he intends to continue playing with Kensington this season.
Opie, who was cut from the Redbacks squad in April, told The Messenger he was looking forward to leading the reigning limited-over and two-day champions.
“I have some pretty big shoes to fill,” Opie, 28, said.
“Jake’s done it for a long time and he’s done pretty well. It’s a huge honour.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids coming through, so I think nurturing them is going to be a big part of the leadership now.”
Opie’s axing from the Redbacks came just a season after earning his first full state contract.
Although disappointed, he said it would allow him to focus on other aspects of his life.
“I’m getting older now so the door is starting to shut a bit,” said Opie, a senior consultant with Hannan Duck and Partners business management.
“I’m happy to do my own thing and if opportunities come up through selection or injury, I’m never going to say no, but I’ll do it on my terms this time.”
Opie snared 20 wickets at 12.6 from 11 two-day matches with the Browns last season, including 6/32 in Kensington’s grand final victory.
The Browns have lost opening batsman Henry Dall (East Torrens) for the 2019/2020 season but recruited Henry Hunt from Canberra.
Hunt, a 22-year-old opening batsman, has been handed a Redbacks rookie contract for the upcoming Sheffield Shield season.
Opie said the club was in a strong position, after its senior men’s A, B and C-grade teams all won their two-day grand finals.
The Browns also claimed last season’s men’s A-grade one-day cup against Sturt, while the women beat the Blues in their grand final.
“We’ve got a great depth and that’s shown by winning premierships in the A’s, B’s and C’s so that gives guys opportunities if we have some vacancies,” Opie said.
The 2019/2020 grade cricket fixture is yet to be released.
