CAPTAINCY candidates Matt Cocken and Raju Mazumder have revealed their blueprints for change as the poll opened for this year’s big King’s Road election.

Incumbent Raju – who is going for a third year in charge – promised more delegation and the appointment of a rotating vice-captain.

Challenger Matt, while paying tribute to his rival, vowed to go “back to basics” to bring the best out of the team.

The stage is now set for a fascinating race to see who will lead the side in 2010.

Raju, whose re-election was unopposed last year, said: “I have been KRCSC captain since 2008 and in 2010, I still want to do it.

“I have the energy, the commitment to improve, and lots of ideas that I want to try out.

“Season two of my captaincy was challenging, given the number of losses and especially to the Badgers in June.

“It highlighted to me my weaknesses and that is something I aim to work on, if elected.

“A poor communicator, someone who keeps their cards close to their big chest, someone who changes the field too much.

“Like many men I like double Ds. Delegation and diligence.”

In his manifesto, Raju identified three ways he’ll run the vice-captaincy:

“Will be rotated. For those who want to do it and those I recommend.
“Bigger influence on my decisions on the day.
“Will inform senior players during match of significant changes.”

Raju also revealed how he’ll handle feedback and criticism:

“Don’t want to be vice captain but still want to share a thought?
“I want to hear your thoughts during a match. Approach me and have a quick word.
“Not liking what I do or your role? Tell me. Email me.”

And, speaking about the team’s fielding, Raju said:

“We don’t practise this enough.
“I will appoint a couple of people to coordinate pre match drills and games.
“I want us to be doing 15 minutes before every match.”

Raju rounded off his speech saying: “The captaincy is an honour and I always want to improve. I undertook the responsibility when no one wanted it at the end of 2007, in what was my third ever game of cricket.

“I talk to opposition captains and players, I’ve played a few games under different captains and most recently, I’ve been invited to former England Ashes’ winning captain, Mike Brearley’s Cricket Captaincy course.

“Vote for me, Raju, version 3.0, the organiser, the doer, the democrat, the student, the committed, the crap sledger, the one that whose dad has an Indian restaurant in Swiss Cottage.”

Matt, who wants to become only the second full-time King’s Road skip, has taken a very different approach to his rival by pinpointing change rather than renewal as his message.

He said: “I’ve been asked me to say a few words about why I should be captain of the great KRCSC this year, so here goes.

“I’m not going to try and take anything away from Raj – he’s done a great job the last two years. But I think now it’s time for a change.

.Keep up with the debate on the KRCSC’s web Forum HERE.

“What would my captaincy style be like? Well, you guys know me well enough by now so I think you probably know as much as I do on that one.”

Asked what he’d bring to  the captaincy, Matt said: “My aim will be to take a “back to basics” approach and see where we end up.

“I know there are lots of things we can improve on as a team, and they all start with getting the simple things right.

“Once we’ve mastered those we can start looking at the next steps. With targeted practice and more coaching we can raise our team game to the next level.

“I want us to have fun on the field; and enjoying the game will always come before results for me. But losing too many games is no fun for anyone – unless you get really drunk as well.

“So for this year it will be my aim as captain to get us practising smarter, playing tighter, drinking harder and ultimately enjoying ourselves more than ever before.

“Apart form those who don’t drink, obviously.

“Plus I guarantee my pants won’t fall down whilst I’m at the crease.”

The 25 Orange Caps eligible – those who were members in 2009 – have until 10pm on Wednesday, February 10, to cast their vote.

Club committee member Leon Watson will act as returning officer and announce the result in The Latchmere pub in Battersea after nets on February 10.

Votes can be cast by e-mailing Leon at leonjameswatson@gmail.com. All votes will remain confidential.