Premier Cricket 2018-19: Gloveman Blayde Baker grasps chance to become Northcote captain

BLAYDE Baker has never shirked a challenge during his time at Northcote. Now he’s set to be the Dragons’ Premier Cricket captain.

Premier Cricket: Greenvale Kangaroos v Northcote. Blayde Baker for Northcote.

BLAYDE Baker has never shirked a challenge.

The now 23-year-old arrived at Northcote in 2011-12 and in just over 12 months had been entrusted with the Premier Cricket club’s First XI wicketkeeping duties.

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Baker has showcased his sharp reflexes behind the stumps in more than 100 First XI matches for the Dragons, taking 104 catches and completing 21 stumpings.

Wicketkeeping can be a thankless job. It requires intense concentration over often long, hot days in the field and is a role constantly put under the spotlight. Yet Baker’s position has never been in question from the moment he made his debut.

As one of the most experienced members of Northcote’s squad, he was a natural choice to take on the captaincy when it was announced Ben Abbatangelo had moved to NSW.

Abbatangelo had been set to replace skipper Steve Taylor, who has been appointed as a playing coach of Northcote.

Blayde Baker has been appointed Northcote’s new Premier Cricket captain.

But his move opened the door for Baker, an apprentice electrician, to flick the switch on his leadership ambitions.

“Being a keeper, I am pretty involved,” Baker said.

“I won’t be too over the top or anything, no ranting of raving.

“I’ll be pretty quiet with the way I go about it, more of a captain who pulls players aside and has a word.”

Baker has filled the captaincy role before when Taylor has been injured and Abbatangelo absent.

The Bacchus Marsh junior said he was honoured to join the decorated list of Dragons leaders, headlined by ex-Test skipper Bill Lawry.

“I have been lucky enough to play under a few good captains,” Baker said.

“(Marcus) Stoinis, originally, for a year, and then (Taylor) afterwards.

“From day one I have been made to feel comfortable at Northcote and I have loved it. It’s home now.”

Blayde Baker (right) appeals for a wicket during one of his early seasons at Northcote.

Baker has travelled from Gordon, about 90km from Melbourne and 25km from Ballarat, to play for the Dragons in recent years.

He enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2017-18, compiling 358 runs at 32.6 and achieving 22 dismissals.

Middle-order batsman Josh Sundberg will serve as his vice-captain.

“It was a bit of a shock originally,” Baker said.

“I was expecting Ben to be a part of it a bit more this year, but that wasn’t the case.

“It’s really exciting and a great opportunity for me to take the club forward.”