Burdened by the weight of captaincy, Eastern Province (EP) cricket skipper Carl Bradfield stood down from that position on Monday.
The 28-year-old lefthanded opening batsman said on Monday he was not enjoying the pressures of the captaincy and felt it was time to give someone else a chance, especially at this important stage of EP’s Standard Bank Cup campaign.
South African spinner Robin Peterson will step into the position for tomorrow’s cup game against Border in East London and is likely to retain the captaincy for the rest of the season.
The decision by Bradfield to relinquish the position was made before the team selection for the side to play Border, from which he was later dropped.
Bradfield emphasised that his decision had nothing to do with his omission from the side for tomorrow’s game.
In a statement before the team was announced, Bradfield said: ”I have given of my best and whilst I am desperately keen to play for the Jumbos in the Standard Bank competition I cannot perform to the best of my ability unless I have a full focus.
”I have decided that my performance with the bat is more important to the team than my captaincy and as such asked to be relieved of the captaincy.
”Should I be selected I will give the new captain my full support and I remain as committed and passionate about EP cricket as ever.” — Sapa
The EP team to play Border is: Ian Mitchell, Dumisa Makalima, Robin Peterson (capt), Arno Jacobs, James Bryant, Wade Wingfield, Johan Botha, Johann Louw, Craig Thyssen, Mfuneko Ngam, Nantie Hayward. 12th man: Geoff Love.