VSDCA 2018-19: Coburg captain Zac Thorne wants club to take ruthless approach of Steve Waugh’s Australian cricket team

NEW Coburg skipper Zac Thorne says he wants the Sub-District Cricket club to channel the ruthless approach which made Steve Waugh’s Australian side so successful.

Zac Thorne has joined Coburg as its new captain. Picture: Hamish Blair.

NEW Coburg skipper Zac Thorne says he wants the Sub-District Cricket club to channel the ruthless approach which made Steve Waugh’s Australian side so successful.

Thorne, who took 51 wickets and made 268 runs during two seasons with Kew, returned to his hometown to play for East Ballarat last summer.

VSDCA 2018-19: SHOCK DEPARTURE FROM KEW

VSDCA 2018-19: PLENTY VALLEY ANNOUNCES SIGNINGS

The Burgers approached the 31-year-old at the perfect time as they sought support for playing coach Ricky Waters, prompting him to commit to a return to Melbourne.

“(Over) a couple of coffees, we discussed the opportunities and where they are at as a club,” Thorne said.

“They were quite blunt with me in the first instance.

“They are not particularly comfortable or happy with where the club sits at the moment from a ladder position.

“There’s a lot of work to do but that excites me. The only way we can go is pretty much up.”

New Coburg captain Zac Thorne wants to see immediate improvement. Picture: Hamish Blair.

Coburg finished bottom of the North-West group in 2017-18, winning only once.

Thorne said his perception of the club had changed dramatically since he was first approached about the captaincy role.

“I must admit I thought they were pretty rough around the edges,” he said.

“No doubt they are an original, proud and one of the oldest clubs in Melbourne.

“But on second glance now I have a bit more of an understanding, they are a very well run club.”

Thorne revealed the club had been in discussions with an English top-order batsman and had been working through a list of six local targets to bolster its First XI.

“I only play to win,” he said.

Zac Thorne wants to bring a winning mentality to Coburg. Picture: Hamish Blair.

“We only play for premierships from my point of view.

“First of all, we need to recruit, which we are working on. The expectation will be we go out every week to win.”

He said “trying to be ahead of the game and control the game” would be hallmarks of his leadership.

“Playing a pretty hard brand of cricket, aggressive, take the game on, leave no stone unturned style,” he said.

“Steve Waugh was probably the last captain, if I think about a captain like that, that everyone would be able to align their thoughts with.”