Captains for the 2022 season
Tom Simpson takes over as 1st XI skipper
With the 2022 season just around the corner the captains for all the senior teams have been confirmed. There have been 3 changes since the start of last season with both the leadership of the 1st and 2nd XI changing hands.
Ali Evans is handing the reins of the 1st XI over to wicket-keeper batsman Tom Simpson. Simpson started his Carlton career in 2007 when he joined the junior section. Since making his first team debut in 2015, ‘Simo’ has scored 1436 runs and taken 60 dismissals behind the stumps in his 78 appearances to date. Tom will be supported by all rounder Shujaa Khan as vice-captain. Khan joined the club in 2019 and had an outstanding 2021 season, finishing as top run scorer for the 1st team with 715 runs. He hit 2 centuries in the campaign including a top score of 145 against RHC.
Annette Aitken-Drummond continues on at the helm of the Women’s 1st XI. The former Wildcat has played 17 times for the Women’s 1st XI and is the third top run scorer in the sides history. Aitken-Drummond averages 60.22 with the bat, has a top score of 81* and has amassed a total of 542 runs in 15 innings. She has also taken 12 dismissals from behind the stumps and 2 outfield catches. Allrounder Charis Scott has been confirmed as the Women’s 1st XI vice-captain for 2022. Scott has played 22 times for the team, scoring 337 runs @28.08 and has taken 42 wickets @9.55. Scott is the highest wicket taker ever for the Women’s 1st XI and is one of three players to have taken a 5fer for the side.
Pete Deakin has stepped down as skipper of the 2nd XI and will be replaced by wicket-keeper and middle order batsman Ben D’Ulisse. D’Ulisse is another product of the Carlton junior section and was rewarded for his hard work over the years with 5 1st XI caps last season. For the 2s in 2021 D’Ulisse scored 270 runs at an average of 45.00 in his 10 appearances for the side. Veteran bowler Charles Stronach has also been named as vice-captain for the coming season. Stronach has played 63 times for the 1st XI and 31 times for the Second team. He boasts 49 wickets at an average of 13.04, best figures of 8-21 and an economy rate of 2.56 for the 2nd XI. The 2s other vice-captain is Harry Simpson. Simpson has played 37 times for the side and taken 52 wickets at an average of 15.71. Simpson has also taken 2 5fers with best figures of 5-7 against Gala.
The newly formed Women’s 2nd XI will be led by batter Sarah Beith. Beith has played 14 times for the Women’s 1st XI and has scored 109 runs in 8 innings @15.57. Amelia Beattie has been elected as vice-captain for the 2022 season. Beattie is the most capped player in the Women’s 1st XI’s history with 30 appearances. Both Beith and Beattie were a part of the 2021 Women’s side who completed the league and cup double.
Brad McKay continues on at the helm of the Third XI. Under his leadership the third team finished 4th in a competitive ESCA Division 2 last season. McKay has played 158 times for the 2nd XI, 56 times for the 3rd XI and is the 4th all time wicket taker for both teams respectively. He has taken 68 wickets for the third team at an average of 17.53. Paul Kentish also continues on as vice captain. Kentish has played 60 times for the 3rd XI and is the 3rd all time run scorer for the side with 1152 runs. He has 1 ton and 6 half centuries to his name as well as an average of 26.79.
Alan Murray who took charge of the Fourth XI halfway through last season will stay on as captain for 2022 campaign in ESCA Division 4. Murray has the second most appearances ever for the fourth team (101 apps) behind former skipper Bob Irvine. He is the 4ths’ 5th top run scorer with 941 runs and has taken the second most wickets with 50. Murray has also made 92 appearances for the 3rd XI and 2 appearances for the 2nd XI. Joe Griffin takes the vice-captain responsibilities for the 4th XI having previously played twice for the side.
Keith Murray resumes his role as captain of the Fifth XI for the upcoming 2022 season in ESCA Division 7. Murray holds the record for the most number of fifth team appearances (49 apps) and is the record run scorer with 1107 runs at an average of 29.13. He has hit 8 half centuries for the side with a top score of 79*. Murray has also made 54 appearances for the 4s and 19 appearances for the 3s. Murray will be supported by vice-captains John Beattie and Euan Murray. Beattie boasts the second most 5th XI appearances with 38 whilst Euan Murray has made the 5th most with 32.
The Development side will be captained by Bob Irvine. Irvine has made 133 appearances for the 4th XI, many of those as skipper, and is the sides 4th highest run scorer and the top wicket taker with 119 wickets.