A NEW face will lead East Gambier’s Barber Shield cricket side this season, with Alex Hentschke taking over the captaincy from long-time skipper Dion Stratford.
It will be a big change for the Bulldogs after Stratford led the side for the last six seasons.
The former captain said he looks forward to playing under Hentschke and taking on a new developing role within the club.
“It is obviously exciting with the big fella taking over,” Stratford said.
“We are looking to develop the club more from when I took over six years ago and it opens up different ways I can help the team.
“With a few less distractions, it might mean I score a few more runs, but it would be good just to play cricket and have some fun in a new role.
“Whatever Alex wants, I will be in support to try and get a premiership.”
Hentschke has played at Scott Park for the past two seasons and has felt at home since he moved from Kongorong.
The tall fast bowler’s ability to move the ball at pace saw him quickly become East’s front-line new-ball option and strike weapon.
But he will now carry the extra responsibility of leading his team mates onto the field.
Hentschke said his appointment materialised during the off season after he learnt the Hawks were not going to field an A Grade side again, which sparked talks with Stratford.
“Dion and I talked about it at the end of last season and felt that it was probably time (for a change) after he had done it for six years,” he said.
“I am absolutely stoked to take it on and look forward to taking over.”
Hentschke is no stranger to the role after he led Kongorong’s top team for a few seasons and knows what to expect.
Despite fast-bowling captains being a rare sight in the game, the man known as “Sauce” said he will not find it too difficult managing the field placements and his bowling at once, while he has belief in his experienced team mates.
However, Hentschke believes staying cool in the contest will be his main challenge.
“The workload should not be too much of an issue,” he said.
“Trying not to get caught up in the heat of the moment will probably be the biggest struggle, but we will see how we go.
“We are at the stage where we have had the same group for two or three years, so the players know what is expected of them.”
After a solid football season under his belt, Hentschke feels in good shape for a return to cricket.
His role of leading the new-ball attack should not change after he claimed an impressive 13 wickets at an average of just 16 runs per dismissal last season.
But as captain, Hentschke said he is more worried about leading his side to as many victories as possible, while playing a full season is also a major focus.
“Probably getting my body right is the main personal goal,” he said.
“After a decent footy season, I am probably at my fittest going into a cricket season, which should be good because last year I had a few niggles here and there.
“Hopefully stats wise it is a bit better, but as long as we are winning games, it does not matter what happens personally because everything it is about the team.”
Despite winning just two of their past 20 Barber Shield games, the Bulldogs appear settled and well-placed for the new season ahead.
All of the established players have remained at East and with the continued development of some promising juniors, it has built a solid group of senior players to be called upon.
Hentschke said he is happy with the core group at his disposal.
“I do not think we have lost much and everyone is still on the mark from last year,” he said.
“A few blokes might shift between A’s and B’s, while some of the juniors might play a bit in the seniors, which should make for an interesting year.”
But the new captain revealed the Bulldogs will welcome an exciting international recruit to the “kennel” in Matthew Hastings.
Hastings is an 18-year-old batsman from Yorkshire with a high score of 154 and over 1000 league runs to his name.
Hentschke said he came across the talent when he played a season of club cricket in England last year, but believes Hastings’ biggest challenge will be adjusting to the Australian conditions.
“I played with him over there and he is coming over for a season, which should be interesting,” he said.
“He hits a nice ball and has a good eye.
“We will just see how he goes adjusting to pitches and conditions.”
From a team perspective, East will hope Hentschke’s elevation can create a change in fortune after the side has not reached finals since 2016/17.
But Hentschke said his team is not far away from mixing it with the best and is determined to return to the top four.
“I felt last season we were in the hunt in the majority of the games we played,” he said.
“Obviously we will look to push the top teams and hopefully get ourselves in the finals.
“It is an interesting game once you make finals, anything can happen.”
