Cricket: Communication is top of list for new Auckland captain

Rob Nicol will captain Auckland in what will be his 14th first-class season this summer. Picture / Christine Cornege

Auckland’s skipper says keeping everyone in the loop is vital for success

Ask Rob Nicol to define his precise style of captaincy with Auckland this summer and he admits he's still mulling that over.

Of one thing the former international batsman, who is taking over from the retired Gareth Hopkins, is certain.

"I'm going to be honest. You've got to be genuine," Nicol said yesterday. "I'm not going to be a dictator but definitely someone who listens."

Nicol is returning to Auckland after five seasons with Canterbury, whom he helped to win the Plunket Shield last summer, and is relishing a new challenge.

"It got to the point where if I didn't take it I would probably look back in a few years and say I wished I had done it," Nicol said.

He knows that there will be hard decisions to be taken at times but Nicol is a strong believer in the importance of communication.

With three forms of the game, and different players in each group, keeping players and coaches happy and informed is important.

"The game is getting more and more specialised. If you're playing first-class cricket you have two games at the beginning of the season then a motherload at the back end, so it's important to keep the greater squad happy and moving forward to their next game."

Nicol, 31 and entering his 14th first-class season, knows no province has won all three titles in one season, but he believes Auckland are in good shape across the board. He believes the domestic T20 title will loom largest in the sights of all six provinces but admits to a soft spot for the shield.

"That's something pretty special. Personally I love the championship and I had a real re-envigoration playing it last year with Canterbury."

He's expecting to bat in the middle order for the shield programme but reckons Auckland have "an embarrassment of riches" in the short form at the top.

Auckland head to Mt Maunganui early next month for pre-season games, including a couple against World Cup-bound Afghanistan. They start the season with a shield game against Northern Districts in Whangarei, beginning on October 23.

Captain's log
• Rob Nicol has played 101 first-class games for Auckland and Canterbury, scoring 5104 runs at 34.48 with 10 centuries
• He played two tests, 22 ODIs and 21 T20 internationals