Western Province have been forced to switch captains just three days before their first night-series cricket match of the season following the unexpected resignation of John Commins last night.
Commins, citing business pressures as the reason for quitting the captaincy, will be replaced by the experienced Craig Matthews but will continue to be available as a batsman for all matches this season.
Commins' resignation was accepted during yesterday's meeting of the WP selection committee, who chose the team for Friday's Standard Bank League match against Griqualand West in Kimberley.
Although the timing of the decision may seem sudden on the surface, Commins, 32, had informed senior WP officials a few weeks ago that he was considering his position because of escalating work pressures. He recently set up a sporting goods agency.
"I had been thinking about my position during the winter, but thought I'd give things a chance at the start of the season," Commins said today.
"Once the pre-season matches began I realised the increasing workload with my business was making things harder and it was perhaps in everyone's interest that I give up the captaincy."
The change, however, shouldn't unduly disrupt WP's start to the season. Matthews was WP captain five years ago until national commitments forced him to stand aside.
Matthews is a respected captain, his qualities having been recognised at national level as vice-captain to Hansie Cronje.
WP have become used to sudden switches in the captaincy in recent seasons. Matthews, Gary Kirsten, Eric Simons and Commins have all had to be replaced because of national call-ups or injury.
Commins said: "People probably don't understand the pressures and commitments required of being an A Section captain. There's a lot of thought and preparation involved and it takes up a lot of time. I must admit I didn't really enjoy it all the time.
"It's not just a matter of turning up and captaining in games. There are the selection meetings to attend and you have to take more responsibility at practices. I'm not a professional cricketer and at this stage of my career, I have to think of my future.
"But I'm keen to play on and can now concentrate on my role as a batsman," Commins said.
WP coach Duncan Fletcher paid tribute to Commins who was appointed captain at the start of last season.
"John has been a tremendous captain both for WP and the South Africa A side and we are fortunate to have someone of Craig's stature to take over," Fletcher said.
The only snag could be if Matthews, who is still on a United Cricket Board contract until the end of the year, should get called up to the SA team for either the limited-overs segment of the current Pakistan tour or the tour to Australia starting in late November.
WP may then have to call on Commins again or go for youth and blood HD Ackerman.
Meanwhile, former Boland opener Lloyd Ferreira and ex-Free State all-rounder Bradley Player will make their WP debuts when they open the batting against Griquas.
WP team: Lloyd Ferreira, Bradley Player, Herschelle Gibbs, HD Ackerman, John Commins, Eric Simons, Alan Dawson, Dave Rundle, Paul Kirsten, Craig Matthews (capt), Dean Payne. 12th man: Faiek Davids.
Date-stamped : 30 Sep97 - 22:07