Janeiro: I'm not interested in being captain

Janeiro Tucker has ruled himself out of contention for the captaincy of Somerset’s Cup Match team.

There has been speculation the 2007 World Cup veteran might regain leadership of the team this year after Jacobi Robinson was “relieved of his duties”.

However, Somerset’s most prolific run-getter in the classic claims he has no desire to regain the top post.

Tucker said: “I am not really interested in it because my days of being a Cup Match captain are over.”

The veteran all-rounder was appointed as Somerset’s captain in 2004 and a year later he experienced what all Cup Match captains dread after losing the coveted showpiece in a controversial low-scoring affair at Wellington Oval.

The Bermuda Sun recently revealed that Tucker’s father, John, had joined Somerset’s selection committee that will handpick the squad and eventual captain this year.

Leader

But when asked did his father’s appointment have any influence on his decision not to seek another term as Somerset’s Cup Match captain Tucker emphatically replied: “No, it has nothing to do with that.”

Among those vying for the vacant captain’s position at Somerset is league captain Jekon Edness who Tucker believes is capable of getting the job done.

He said: “Since Jekon has been appointed as the captain of Somerset’s league team they must see him as a future leader, which is a good thing for the club.

“If they are looking at him to be their league captain then I don’t see why he shouldn’t be their Cup Match captain as well.

“Somerset have always wanted a younger captain who plays league cricket for them as well. What’s the sense of me going back as the captain for maybe a year when you have Jekon who could be around for another ten years? I’m not going to be around for another ten years so they have to look to the future.”

If given the opportunity to lead the team into battle over the two-day holiday Edness will follow in the footsteps of uncle Andre Manders who also led Somerset in the league and Cup Match.

But unlike his uncle who made his Cup Match debut as captain in the friendly confines at Somerset, Edness could be facing a baptism of fire on hostile turf at Wellington Oval.

“Normally they (Somerset) groom their captains on home soil to try and make the transition a lot easier,” Manders said. “But if Jekon is chosen as the Cup Match captain I’m sure he can handle it.”

Tucker, who also made his debut as captain on home soil, added: “It really doesn’t make a difference if the game is played in Somerset or St. George’s because he is still going to have to lead the team somewhere.”