Piesing hands over the captaincy to Veillard

DAVE PIESING has stepped down as Wanderers captain. That's the big news coming from the club's camp as it enters its fourth season.

Wanderers were formed in 2003 when Pessimists and St Saviour's, realising that they were struggling to get teams out for the weekend league, decided to merge.

Piesing had captained and effectively run the show since its inception. He has handed over the reins to Richard Veillard.

'Richard has been my vice-captain for the last three years,' said Piesing.

'I felt it was time for a fresh approach.'

Island and St Saviour's top-order batsman Veillard is up for his new role and the forthcoming summer.

'I'm looking forward to the season generally,' he said.

'It's difficult to say at this stage of the season how we're going to do. It's early doors.

'I'm not aware of many changes in the team just one extra batsman.'

That extra batsman comes in the form of Ross Knellor. The new arrival in the island has signed for Salemites in the evening league and he will turn out for Veillard at the weekends.

'To be honest I don't know too much about him,' said Veillard.

'He looks like he can play but you don't know until you see someone play in a real match.'

Piesing knows a bit more about the young Yorkshireman. He claims that he bats like ex-Wanderers player Ben Driver, who scored the runs that ensured the club won the league title in their first year of trying.

'He looks good,' said Piesing.

'He's very similar to Ben Driver. They played in the same league and they are of a similar standard.

'He's a useful cricketer and he'll be useful for Salemites as well.'

Knellor will join a respectable batting line-up at Wanderers.

Tim Belton will open with young James Warr, who has been involved with the island squad.

Veillard should take the number-three berth with all-rounders Pierre Moody and Spencer Noyon coming in a little further down the order.

Piesing can also give it a good whack when required.

The bowling department will mainly feature Moody with the new ball with his nagging line and length, backed up by Noyon and Keith Le Cheminant with his tricky left-arm swing.

Le Cheminant has the ability to bring the ball back into the right hander and can catch batsmen out with a good quicker delivery as several island players can testify.

Warr can also turn his arm over and Mike Savage, who came to the island last year, bowls a competitive line and length.

Steve Birkett, with his left-arm orthodox, provides spin along with Piesing, whose leg breaks can be dangerous on their day if the conditions are right.

Andrew Boyce will again take up his role behind the stumps.

After winning the title in 2003 in their inaugural year, Wanderers have not been able to follow that up.

Last season they finished in third place behind Cobo and Optimists and Veillard reckons that they could split the two.

'I'd like to think that we can,' he said.

'The final standings from last year were a fair assessment of the relative standards of the teams. I have to say on paper Cobo and Optimists are still the best teams but the game isn't played on paper. All the other sides have players of quality to be able to beat any other side. There are a number of guys who can come off with the bat or ball.

'They can win games.'

So what is Veillard hoping to gain from the season?

'I think what I'm really looking forward to is some good weather and some high standard of cricket,' he said.

'I think that if we get that, then everyone can enjoy the season.'