VSDCA: Michael Vozzo to captain Sub-District Cricket club Box Hill in 2018-19

BOX Hill has unveiled its new captain after the sudden departure of former skipper James Pearson.

Michael Vozzo in his AFL umpiring days.

MICHAEL Vozzo will remain as skipper at Box Hill this summer.

But instead of captaining the seconds, the former AFL umpire will lead a batch of fresh-faced kids in the First XI.

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Vozzo will take on the role after James Pearson’s shock departure to Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association rival Brunswick.

The Mustangs were filled with youth in 2017-18 and will be even younger again this summer.

Box Hill has waved goodbye to Paul Gloury and Justin Lampard — its two leading runscorers from the past two seasons.

Paul Gloury plays a cut shot. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

Pearson was the Mustangs’ top wicket-taker since returning ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, returning 78 scalps in 28 games.

English import Steven Sandhu is also off to Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association club Rowville after one summer at Box Hill City Oval.

Vozzo, who umpired two AFL grand finals in his 281 games, said Box Hill would continue down the youth path this season.

“We’re not trying to compete with the clubs who are paying exorbitant amounts for players,” Vozzo said.

“We’ve been on a youth, promotional type program for five years and that is not changing.

“Our entire club, you’re getting close to 50 per cent with kids from Box Hill Reporter so we’re just trying to create that pathway from local cricket into turf cricket.

“The club is really keen to continue in that vein and obviously not fork out the amazing amount of money that some clubs are doing.”

Justin Lampard goes big. Picture: Richard Serong

Gloveman Brodie Eccles and middle-order batsman Angus Hands both cemented places in the First XI last summer, while Jarrod Smith will be promoted after finishing last season as the club’s leading runscorer in the Second XI.

Box Hill has also landed English import Craig Broadley.

The Mustangs also have high hopes for Brady Robinson, who had a season away from the game last summer, after joining the club from Premier club Ringwood.

“It’s actually quite an exciting little phase because a lot of the guys that will be on the field this year in the ones will be guys who have done unbelievably well in the seconds, plus a couple of the guys who have been in the ones over the last few years as well,” Vozzo said.

“We think we’ve got a pretty good even spread, we won’t have the superstars we’ve had over the past couple of years.

“We think we’ll have a pretty even spread and we may shock a few teams this season I think.”

Box Hill opens its season on October 6 with a home two-day fixture against St Bernard’s.