Dale to quit as skipper

Sep 29 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

GEOFF Cook has admitted Durham’s magnificent County Championship title success is likely to be Dale Benkenstein’s final act as captain as the South African is adamant he wants to step down next season.

Although Benkenstein has committed his future to Durham for at least another two years the 34-year-old would rather concentrate on playing next year with Will Smith likely to replace him as skipper.

Benkenstein will meet Cook before returning to South Africa in the next few days, but Durham’s head coach will respect the wishes of the man he credits for transforming this Durham team from perennial strugglers to double trophy winners in his four years at the Riverside.

Durham secured their first County Championship title with a comprehensive win over Kent on Saturday as both Nottinghamshire and Somerset failed to win their final games and the celebrations have continued all weekend.

Cook said: “Dale’s impact is immeasurable really. He has been the main reason behind the success we have had as a team and he really is a tremendous cricketer and captain. I don’t know where Durham would have been without him, but he should take the lion’s share of the credit for what we have achieved.

“He is responsible for so much. He consistently gets

those around him to raise their standards and people respond to his leadership because he is a true cricketer.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to him about next year because now isn’t the time, but as I understand it he is pretty determined to stand down as captain.

“We will talk things through and see how he wants to take things. He is certainly not leaving. If he wants to step down as captain we will respect that and look at the alternative options.”

With Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison still heavily involved with England, Durham are unlikely to look any further than Smith.

The 26-year-old began the season wondering whether his First-Class career was coming to an end following a poor first year with Durham. But the former Durham University pupil averaged more than 50 in the County Championship since forcing his way back into the side and is even being talked about as a possible Test player by Benkenstein.

Smith said: “It has been an incredible journey for me. When I came back at the start of the season I didn’t know whether I was going to make it. This was a make or break season for me so to have achieved so much, personally and as a team, is extra satisfying.

“I’ve not really thought too much about the captaincy issue because I was hoping Dale would continue. I’d rather just enjoy what we have achieved this season, but if I’m asked I will be honoured to take on the job.”

For now, though, Smith is just happy to reflect on a remarkable campaign for county cricket’s newest county. He said: “It is extremely difficult to try and sum up how I feel.

“It is the highlight of my career without a doubt and I’m sure the celebrations will go on for a long time and rightly so.”