Brackenfell Cricket Club have confirmed the appointment of former first-class cricketer Lee-Roy Walters as player-coach, ahead of a maiden 2017-18 Western Province Cricket Association premier league campaign.
Walters played first-class cricket for Eastern Province and Boland – and franchise competition for the Warriors and Cape Cobras – between 2005 and 2015. His last first-class innings, in fact, yielded a fine century at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Lee-Roy as a player-coach for the upcoming season. Having played a lot of first-class cricket, his experience will be invaluable for us,” Brackenfell Cricket Club chairman Tertius Dippenaar told Club Cricket SA.
“Having played for our club previously, he also has a very good understanding of our culture – and the way we wish to play our cricket.
“The club has also confirmed that veteran Wiaan Smit will captain the side in their first season of WPCA premier league cricket.”
Formerly of the Boland Cricket Board, Brackenfell Cricket Club have been added to the WPCA in order to comply with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s geo-political boundaries.
According to the first draft of fixtures for the 2017-18 WPCA season, Brackenfell Cricket Club will open their premier league campaign against Ottoman Cricket Club. Their first home match will be against Cape Town Cricket Club.
Their most challenging fixtures will, arguably, be against reigning champions Bellville Cricket Club and 2016-17 runners-up Durbanville Cricket Club.