Duo step in for senior cricketers

All-rounder Dominic Rayner will be the player/coach of the Wanganui representative side this season. PHOTO/FILE

Wanganui senior cricket is looking to arrest its slide into rough waters by asking two Marton men to take the wheel of the previously rudderless ship.

After the decision to go without a coach for what proved to be a disappointing 2012-13 summer, Wanganui cricket has named former Central Districts all-rounder Dominic Rayner as a player and coach for the coming Chapple Cup and Hawke Cup campaigns. His clubmate Justin Lock is taking over from Wanganui High School's Andrew Lock in a return to the team manager's position.

They will be the team selectors alongside former representative player Gerard Hobbs (United) and Wanganui cricketing legend Eric Head, who will bring an expert eye from his decades of experience.

Chairman Stu Gill said after last season it was clear not having a coaching hierarchy had been a drawback, and, as current players, Rayner and Justin Lock would be good judges of those around them.

"We've looked at it, set new protocols within the team. We look at it as a new era."

After the representative retirement of Andrew McCaa in December, Rayner split the Wanganui captaincy duties with Central Districts professional Ben Smith, when he was available, while young Dominic Lock also held the reins for a brief period.

Unavailability and withdrawal often made it a late scramble to put together a competitive XI, especially for away games.

For Rayner and Justin Lock, the first priority was creating an environment where the players wanted to be involved in representative cricket and felt confident because there was a leadership structure in place.

"Last year we just had Andy as manager, so for guys coming into the team it wasn't as organised. So Justin and I decided to put our hands up."

Their relationship of the senior leaders was a big help to the Marton team in the latter half of the Wanganui club season, as Saracens rebounded from winning only one game in the one-day series to suffering only one loss on their way to claiming the inaugural Premier League title in March.

For Wanganui, Rayner intends to form the core decision-making group around himself, Smith, veteran Marist batsman Mark Fraser and possibly Dominic Lock on behalf of the younger players.

"It would be good to have someone else as captain so I can focus on coaching."

One issue Wanganui couldn't avoid is the lack of youngsters with experience.Last year's squad had Rayner and Fraser as the 30s brigade, batsman Max Carroll the only player in his 20s, and the rest a virtual under-21 team.

"It's quite tough having less experience, but all those guys have had another year now, they're more accustomed," said Rayner. "They can all nearly get in the pub, too."

It's likely most of the 2012 squad will play the first three representative one-day games of the Chapple Cup, which begins in a fortnight against Manawatu.

While it would be great to be competitive right off the bat, Rayner said the focus would be getting the squad to gel before the two-day Hawke Cup matches.

"It'll be more about setting the rules, creating a team culture. It's all a bit late, not ideal but that's what we've got to work with."

Carroll is likely to miss the first part of the season for eye treatment, while it's hoped NZU19 World Cup stars Henry Collier and Nick Blundell can play four games before departing in the New Year.

Rayner and the other selectors will get their first look at players when the Premier 1 and 2 club competitions begin next Saturday.