Ben Cox has spoken of his pride at being made Worcestershire’s official red ball vice-captain and being able to lead the side in their opening Specsavers County Championship match of the season.
The wicket-keeper batsman will skipper the team against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground in the match beginning today (Thursday) while club captain Joe Leach continues the final stages of his rehabilitation from a back injury.
He had his first taste of being in charge since his appointment in the three-day game with Cambridge University at Fenners which ended in a rain-hit draw.
Cox said: “It is something I’m extremely excited about. My family are extremely proud.
“My dad (Tim) has been supporting and watching Worcestershire for many years.
“It’s nice to be able to do it for my family as well who spent a lot of time following the County.
“I will be proud when at Leicester I go out in the Worcestershire blazer for the toss if there is one.
“I’m not going to come in and change the system or anything like that. I won’t be a big talker. I will just try and act and lead in the best way possible.”
As wicket-keeper, Cox has in any case always had a key role to play on the field with matters like field placings and encouraging his team-mates.
He said: “As a wicket-keeper, you are unintentionally in control of field placings.
“The captain might want a certain position but you are ultimately in charge of the angle and splitting the difference of the plans and what you want.
“It won’t be too much different in terms of four-day cricket. Obviously it is a slower paced game than T20 and the white ball for Brett (D’Oliveira – new white ball vice-captain).
“It’s just the bowlers workloads and stuff that I’m going to have to get used to.”
