Ferguson to call time on his first-team appearances
Perth Doo’cot captain Graham Ferguson will hang up his first team bat at the end of the season.
The skipper, who frustratingly watched all three planned weekend fixtures fall foul of the weather, is planning to place emphasis on youth development.
Perth’s penultimate game of the campaign away at Stoneywood Dyce was called off to the irritation of players who made an 180-mile round trip for no cricket.
It means Ferguson will face his final top team clash tomorrow afternoon with a home game against Meigle.
He said:“For my part, my time playing Premier Division cricket finishes tomorrow against Meigle and my plan is to have a season or two in the 2nd XI helping develop the next block of youngsters alongside my colleague David Armstrong.
“We have been team-mates for the best part of 40 years now and so it seems an appropriate way to finish before we hang up our boots.
“The next captain is a decision for the club members but I feel the move towards a more youthful 1st XI will continue next year and the next logical step is for a young club captain to take over the 1st XI with the help of the senior players.
“This year’s U13 squad have been and will continue to get exposed to some senior cricket via the 2nd and 3rd XI’s and it’s vital that they get support and advice and I hope I can help with that. We will no doubt be looking to recruit player coaches who can build on the work done this year by Stephen Boyd especially and so that will be a crucial process over the winter months.”
Seven of 17 matches have been lost to the weather this season. A combination of the stop-start timetable of matches and a complete change in the age of the squad has meant results have been inconsistent.
But Ferguson said:“I always knew that fielding such a young side this year would probably mean a few challenges along the way and that has proved to be the case.
“The best players don’t just master the technical aspects of cricket, they have the mental and intellectual ability to make good decisions and take the best options in a game situation and that is probably the area where we have most work to do.
“But the likes of my vice-captain Curtis Taylor and Jack and Stuart McCreanor in particular can look back on parts of this season and be proud of their displays.
“Grant Anderson, Khyamm Sarral and Rory Pennycook will also benefit from continued exposure to 1st XI cricket and, in Khyamm’s case, involvement with the Caley Highlanders youth set-up.
“Emeul Knoesen returns to South Africa in a fortnight and, while he would have loved more games, he has made a favourable impression on us on and off the field and has been a credit to his club and family back home.
“I am grateful to all the players who have contributed this year and particularly the senior players such as Ivor Patterson, Stephen Boyd and Trevor Brown whom I have been able to depend upon for tactical input and consistent week in, week out performances.”
The 2nd and 3rd XI matches at Bannockburn and Stirling were also called off last time out but plenty of action is available this weekend.
1st XI v Meigle at Doo’cot Park on Saturday - From G Ferguson , E Knoesen, F Ali, R Pennycook, G Anderson, S Boyd, I Patterson, S McCreanor, J McCreanor, T Brown, C Taylor, K Sarral, J Ali. R McPhee . Players meet Doo’cot Park at noon. 3rd XI v St Modans at Bannockburn on Saturday - From A Blair (capt), T Sarral, F Ali, J Ali, R Pennycook, H Gow, H Jaffrey-Smith, S Cranston, M Rehman, J Koo, T Rehman, A Turlik, I Riley, D Armstrong. Players meet Broxden Park for 11.30am. 3rd XI v Doune at Doune on Sunday. From A Blair, T Rehman, T Sarral, R Rajcoomar, J Calder, L Wyatt, M Rehman, S McKenzie, O Patterson, A Beyts, H Gow, E Knoesen. Players meet Broxden Park and Ride 11.30am.
Squads are: