General News
9 October, 2020
Simon Richardson named Lakers captain
CAMPERDOWN has turned to one of its stalwarts to lead the club this South West Cricket season.
CAMPERDOWN has turned to one of its stalwarts to lead the club this South West Cricket season.
Simon Richardson has been named captain of the Lakers’ division one side, taking over the reins from outgoing captain Steven Fisher, who took the club to the grand final last season.
The off-spinner, who operates a dairy farm in Simpson, is looking forward to his new role, which he admits is something he has always thought about doing.
“It wasn’t something I was working towards but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and a spot to do it was there,” Richardson said.
“Fish was wanting to step back so it worked perfectly – I’m coming in at a good time but I know I’ve got big shoes to fill especially from last year.
“We’ve lost a few but hopefully we can still be up there with a few young kids coming through.
“As long as we’re competitive that’s the main thing because we’ve got a few young blokes coming through that have all stuck around which is good.”
The captaincy stint will be Richardson’s first but is an opportunity he thinks he is ready for given his vast experience at local level.
“I’ve been playing since I was eight and I’ve played a couple of rep games and been to country week and higher grade trainings through my cricket so I think I’ll be right,” Richardson said.
“I’ll have plenty of support around me with Fish and Sarge and others around the club who collectively work as a team to help each other out so I’m sure I’ll get it done.”
The club has secured the services of Richardson’s brother Josh from West Warrnambool, with his addition hoped to strengthen their bowling line-up.
“It’s going to be his last year and he wanted to play a year together so the deal was if I was playing he was going to play at Camperdown,” Richardson said.
“He adds experience to the team and gives us another medium pace option that can take a wicket.”
However, the Lakers are set to lose two key players, with Jye McLaughlin and Jordan Riches departing for the Colac and District Cricket Association.
McLaughlin is set to play for Warrion alongside fellow South West exports Rohan Symes, Henry Green and Angus Uwland, while Riches will line-up for Irrewarra.
Richardson said the club was disappointed to lose the pair but was hopeful their youth could step up and fill the void.
“A lot of our younger blokes are going to have to step up,” he said.
“Harry Sumner is one, he’s a great bat and has a great temperament so hopefully he keeps sticking at it and working hard.
“There’s also a lot of young blokes that have been playing in the threes that haven’t had the opportunities in division one like Dom Absalom and Ethan Coates.
“We’re hoping a lot of these young kids will help us out.”
Club games record holder Shane Wilson will skipper the club’s division three side.