New Zealand Domestic Cricket: Grant Elliot new Wellington captain
The New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliot has been announced as the captain of Wellington for the 2010-11 domestic season of New Zealand. Elliot will lead Wellington across all the three formats – Test, one day and T20. The off-spinner Jeetan Patel, will deputy Elliot in his duties as the Wellington skipper. 30 years Elliot would replace Matthew Bell as new captain, while Jeetan Patel will take the charge from Neal Parlane.
Leading Wellington would be a tough job for 31-year old Elliot as the side finished at the bottom of the table in the mega events of New Zealand’s domestic circuit during 2009-10 Season. Under Matthew Bell’s captaincy, Wellington remained at the bottom of the points table in the one day competitions as well as the Plunket Shield.
The South Africa born all-rounder has been given the responsibility of lifting Wellington Firebirds after a dismal 2009-10 season, despite his limited captaincy experience at the higher level. Elliot was hopeful of putting Wellington on a winning track during his tenure as captain. He said that everybody is disappointed with the poor performance of the team during the last season and it’s natural. He further added that the whole team is now keen to turn the things around together and has great enthusiasm.
Born on 21 March 1979 in Johannesburg, Grant David Elliot left his native country in 2001 after he qualified to play for New Zealand in 2007. Elliot played only one match for his native land when he played for South Africa “A” against India “A”. In early 2008, Elliot got a call for the national team of New Zealand for the England tour. On 22 March 2008 Elliot was given a test cap in Napier as Jacob Oram’s replacement. His ODI debut also came against England on 18th June 2008 where he took 3 wickets. He piled up his maiden ODI fifty in his second game. On 8th February 2009, Elliot recorded his maiden century against Australia at Sydney Cricket ground during the Chappell-Hadlee series.
During 2009 Champions Trophy staged in his native country South Africa, Elliot was brilliant with both bat and the ball. His four-wicket haul against England earned the Black caps a berth in the semi-final of the trophy where he sparked with the bat playing a fine knock of an unbeaten 75 against Pakistan taking Kiwis to the final.
A knee injury kept him away from the international arena for the last eight months. However, he has been included in the squad that would tour Sri Lanka next month for the one-day tri-nation series featuring India and Sri Lanka alongside New Zealand.
Elliot, 31, has twice been declared as the player of the year by Wellington. He was honoured by Wellington with the award for two successive seasons, 2007-08 and 2008-09. He missed much of the last season (2009-10) due to the knee injury that kept Elliot away from the game.
Elliot praising the management of Wellington Firebirds said he is pretty hopeful that the efforts of senior players and the coach would turn the team into a side competing for titles.
"Fortunately we've got a top management support structure, led by head coach Anthony Stuart, and an experienced group of senior players aged in their late 20s and early 30s who are all at their peak of their games".
The newly announced skipper of Wellington Firebirds is also hopeful about the young talent of the side. He said that the emerging young players including Ili Tugaga, Michael Pollard, Harry Boam and Josh Brodie are the real talent of Wellington and he would be keen to make them top first-class cricketers.