HCCC confirms 2005 skipper appointment

The Committee of Harpenden Cavaliers Cricket Club are delighted to announce that the captain for 2005 will be wicketkeeper Gareth Lloyd.

With 47 Cavaliers caps to his name, this season will see Lloyd become one of a handful of Cavs to reach a half century of appearances. He'll reach this milestone with the added responsibility of the captain's armband, and it's an opportunity he's relishing. "I'm bang up for captaincy of the Cavs. No sh*t - it's an honor (sic) and I honestly believe I can bring a little something extra to the side as captain. I must admit I'm a little concerned about donning the mitts and captaining but I can't see it being too much of a problem."

When asked whether the extra maturity required to lead this side would result in a reduction of his cheeky mockney banter behind the stumps, Lloyd said "I think the Pete Beale stuff could well be a thing of the past as I need to think about captaining and keeping as well as the other captaincy stuff. I'm quite keen to keep that to a minimum anyway but still enjoy the cricket. More a case of concentrating a bit harder."

Lloyd follows in the footsteps of Jim Handford, who lead the side during their successful 2004 season. "There's no better man for the job than Lloydy" commented Handford. "He's well liked in the dressing room, is a real winner but will keep the lads' heads up when things don't go our way on the pitch."

Lloyd will start shaping his team when nets begin in February, and is eagerly awaiting the first game at the helm. "Too right, bring it on. Cut me, I bleed purple and white, and want 2005 to be a season to remember. Allez les Cavs!"

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