DVCA Barclay Shield: Epping appoints Josh Henkel as captain
Diamond Valley Cricket Association club Epping has locked in a new skipper for this summer and signed a key recruit as it looks to take the next step after back-to-back semi-final defeats.
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Josh Henkel will lead Diamond Valley Cricket Association outfit Epping this summer.
The all-rounder has replaced Andrew Bennett as captain after crossing from Lower Plenty and producing an impressive first season at the Barclay Shield club in 2019-20.
Henkel hit 280 runs at 28, including two half-centuries, while the paceman also collected 23 wickets at 14.43 apiece, with a best haul of 4-20.
“He brought a lot to the club last season,” Epping coach Jeff Hughes said of Henkel.
“I think he’s a born leader. If he bowls a bad over, he’s not happy with himself and if he goes out he’s not happy. He’s just one of those guys that’s a winner. I think he’ll bring that through the whole club.
“Last year we had Andrew Bennett and John Lever as captain and vice-captain. They’ve been around a long time, played a lot of cricket.
“They might only have another one or two years left in them in A grade. We thought bringing a younger captain in would help the club.
“While they’re still playing … it’s probably a good idea to bring Josh in now and they can guide him.”
Hughes said the back-to-back semi-final defeats were not a factor in the call to change leaders as the Pingers look to take the next step in the top grade.
They suffered a heartbreaking one-wicket defeat to Heidelberg in last season’s semi, with Hughes praising Bennett for his efforts as skipper.
Epping has also signed experienced all-round Shaun Barker from Old Paradians.
“He just said he needed a fresh change,” Hughes said.
“He’s been a pretty consistent cricketer for a few years now. He’s got a lot of experience.
“We like to blaze away a bit in the middle of the innings with our middle-order. If we lose a couple of wickets, we can throw him in. Hopefully he can steady the ship if we have a bit of a collapse.”
Fast bowler Marcus Murphy has joined VSDCA side Preston after taking 40 Barclay Shield wickets in the past two seasons.
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