Interview with the skipper

New 1XI captain John Smyth is relishing the oppurtunity to lead his group of players in the 2018 season.

We had a chat with the new 1XI captain John Smyth (on the right in the picture below), a product of the Club's juniors system, on his journey to leading the Club's top team and his aims for the 2018 season.

What are your earliest memories of playing for the Club?
My first memories of playing for Dartford are as captain in the U11's! Back then the colts section was a lot smaller but I have nothing but great memories from those times.
 
When did your first opportunity to play senior cricket for Dartford come?
I was fourteen when I first played adult cricket for Dartford after re-joining from Eynsford. I started right from the bottom with the 4XI but the experiences there playing under the likes of Peter Hughes, captain at that time, and Malcolm Stroudley were hugely influential for me beginning to understand senior cricket.

Those times were invaluable for my development and Malcolm’s knowledge of the game in particular, as a batsman like myself, was exactly what I needed.

I was a sporadic 3XI player over the next year and a half but really cemented my place towards the end of the next season aged 15. It is not a standard to be taken lightly at that age and is a team where you can really make significant progress as a cricketer against decent opposition.
 
By the age of 16 I was opening the batting for the 2XI towards the end of the season in the 2XI Premier League. The jump from the 3’s to the 2’s is big but I really enjoyed it as it tested my ability as I challenged myself to become a better player.
 
When did you first try captaincy of an adult side?
The opportunity came in the 2XI in 2014 when I was 20. It was a team with a lot of potential and a good mix of youth and knowledge and experience. The first year was difficult, one of change but one to learn from. Personally I had my best season, being leading run scorer in the league.
 
However, it was in the next year that we were the team to beat. I don’t think we had the best collective ability but the way we played for each other was amazing and won us the league.

Half-way through that season my chance to play in the 1XI came and again it was another tough test where I had to hold my own. The following season I was asked to be vice-captain under Jamie Williams and to play a full season in the 1XI which was a great personal achievement.

So as 1XI captain this year, what are your aims for the season?
The league is one of the toughest to play in but also one of the most enjoyable and I want the team to play the best cricket we can as a group. If we do that then we can achieve good things. My other aim is to create a good team environment in which people can enjoy their cricket.

Who have been the most influential characters for you at the club in terms of developing leadership on the pitch and your own game?
There are two people who stand out in terms of developing leadership. The first would be our ex-Chairman Jim Lowrie when I was in the 2XI; his awareness of his team was a real eye opener for me and I learned a lot from playing alongside him.

The other would be Gary Cook; I never played that much under Gary but when I did I saw someone who had the complete respect of his team, which is something I strive for. Having played with Gary in the last year and a half I was able to see how his knowledge and leadership can have such a significant impact on the team.
 
What do you aim to build on from last season?
Last year I thought we had a great year and although the league table may not reflect that I felt we performed well.

I wouldn’t change much but I would probably like to see us be more ruthless in finishing teams off as I think at times we let games slip from good positions.
 

Do you have a personal aim for the season?
Last year I wasn’t going on after getting through the difficult period at the start of the innings with the new ball so I want to convert more scores to hundreds.
 
I know if I do this it will help set the team up with a good chance of winning the game which is the most important thing.
 
How does it feel to be captain of the 1XI?
I feel very proud. Being captain of Dartford has been my target for a while now and to get there is fantastic. I didn’t think I would get there at this age but I look forward to the challenge of leading the team.
 
I can’t wait to see their talents come together on the field.

Smytho.