CRICKET: Bay's new captain seeks to quench thirst from cup

HAMISH BIDWELL
Hawke Cup glory is the number one goal for new Hawke's Bay cricket captain Brad Patton.
Back after an 18-month stint in England, the Cornwall batsman succeeds clubmate Richard Lawrence who held the post for the past two summers. And having savoured the taste of a few drinks from the hallowed trophy when Hawke's Bay beat holders Manawatu in early 2003, Patton says it's an experience he's thirsty to relive again.
"Oh, absolutely," Patton said.
"We won the cup two years ago and I was lucky enough to be a part of that team and to me, the chance of winning it again is why I play for Hawke's Bay. The last two years haven't been the most successful ones for the team and that's something I'd like to change.
"I've obviously taken on a bit of leadership role this season and I'd like to think I'll be able to help get the best out of the players, because if we can get each guy to perform to the best of their ability, then I think we've got the team to do it again."
For some the mantle of leadership can prove a burden but Patton anticipates it bringing the best in him.
"Well, I'm 25 now, 26 next month and I think I'm ready," he said.
"I've become one of the more experienced members of the side and I think being given the captaincy is just a sign of that. I've got aspirations to get to higher honours and I think being given this responsibility can only help that as well.
"I don't think it'll change my game too much and I wouldn't have taken the job on unless I thought I had what it takes to do a good job."
Not that the captaincy was something he was actively seeking. Patton says Hawke's Bay coach Jim Cotterell rang and offered him the job on Tuesday night and by the next evening he was addressing the troops at the first proper squad get-together of the season.
Aside from lifting Hawke's Bay back to the top of minor association cricket, Patton says his secondary goal is to return to the Central Districts A fold and, hopefully, beyond.
"As a player, you want to go as far as you can and I'd been a fringe player with CD for quite a while," he said.
"That made going overseas quite a tough decision but for me, personally, it was the right one and I think coming back and having a fresh perspective on things will help me.
I spoke to a lot of people around the scene before I went and they all assured me that going overseas wouldn't affect my chances of playing for CD in the future.
"Now I think I've come back as a better person and a better player as well."