DDBBL: First piece of puzzle solved with Captains’ Draft

CAPTAINS have been chosen as teams prepare to power into next month’s Players’ Draft of the DDBBL.

Cameron Brimblecombe was taken first in the DDBBL Captains’ Draft. Picture: File

CRICKET: Captains have been decided and sides are pushing full steam ahead for the start of the Darling Downs Bush Bash League season.

The six team leaders were selected at a closed function at Fitzy’s on Sunday afternoon, as anticipation builds for the second year of the DDBBL.

Cameron Brimblecombe was given the honour of being first chosen by new side Grammar Blazers.

This was followed up with fellow newcomers Robscan Knight Riders taking last year’s winning captain Kris Glass.

Livewired Lightning then took Aidan Watterson, the Hip Pocket Rockets sided with Shaun McCarthy, Alex Welsh went to the Aidacare Aztecs and Zac Beveridge was chosen by the Valley Raptors.

In an interesting turn of events, McCarthy was the only captain who will stick with his side, with owner Graham Strang putting his faith in the quick.

“It feels quite good. I really enjoyed my time with Graham and the Hip Pocket Rockets last season,” McCarthy said.

“It works out well. We don’t have to worry about trying to figure out styles and game management.

“We know how we all work so we can jump straight into things.”

McCarthy said the focus now shifts towards next month’s Players’ Draft, as the Rockets look to build a roster capable of making a finals push.

“We’re looking forward to seeing who’s nominated. There’ll be a lot of new names compared to last year,” he said.

“Last year with as close as we came, it feels like a bit of a failure even though we finished on the same number of points (as finals teams).

“It’s what made it such an exciting competition.

“There’s no guarantee that things will go smoothly, but we want to try and get ourselves into the top three.”

The next stage of the DDBBL season comes in the form of the Players’ Draft, where teams and owners will have the choice of over 140 nominated players to compose their squads.

The event will take place on August 14 at Clifford Park, ahead of round one of the competition on September 13.

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