It’s over. The masses have decided that for the season of 2010, Matt Cocken will be the captain of King’s Road CSC.

A good choice. He’s one of the few people at the club who I believe understands the demands of the role and can put in a good show.

For the last two years I was the only individual wanting to be captain. This year we had two candidates and I hope that in future other people, on the basis of what I’ve done and what Matt does, will put themselves forward. It is a sign of progression for the club.

It would have been unhealthy for the club if I had stayed on for many more years. Not that I didn’t want it this time. Shame on you guys for not letting me get my hat-trick! And shame on you for falling for a slogan borrowed from Sainsbury’s no frills range.

I’ve received a few e-mails thanking and commiserating me on the loss. Firstly, given my record as captain, I have been well acquainted with defeat (19 in total). Yes, it’s not nice but at the same time, don’t worry, I’ll manage. It was a pain and pleasure. It was a bit of everything. It’s not as though I’ve lost a loved one or a body part. If I lost a spinning finger, I would not know what to do with myself!

But come on guys, am I missing something? The cynic in me says there are e-mails going around proclaiming the end of the dictatorship and all its associated tyranny and corruption. If these e-mails don’t exist, I’d be disappointed. Actually, I’d be offended.

So now King’s Road enters the Matt Cocken era. My tips to him are:

Know the rules. Properly.
Know fielding positions.
Get your figures right (how many overs bowlers have bowled, run rates and cheering Dean at the right time when he scores yet another half century)
Look after the scorebook. Done properly it can tell most of the story of the game. We want to know who scored the runs, how quickly and partnerships. We want to know who took wickets and catches. We want to know who’s to blame for the wides, the no balls and the excessive non scoring. You’ve seen the end of season almanac.
At the end of a match, regardless of result, prepare yourself for the post match James Couldrey interrogation. You’ve seen it but it’s totally different being on the receiving end. You may notice that it begins usually after a pint or two after our human rights lawyer Adam has departed.

My advice to everyone is this – you’ve voted him in, now back him like you backed me and then back him some more. Even for a mentally stronger individual like Matt, captaincy takes you on an unstable confidence rollercoaster.

So as I walk into the sunset aided with my trusted companions Adam and Amir, what does the future hold for me? I undertake my next adventure – the one that sees me becoming the cricketing superstar that I know I can be and doing it my way.

Will it happen straight away? Who knows?

Will I ever be captain of King’s Road again? Probably not.

Will I go freelance? Who would have me? 🙂

Thanks for the ride but it’s time I got off the train.

Raju

King’s Road Cricket and Social Club captain 2008-2009

27 matches, 7 wins, 19 losses and 1 draw.