Zander de Bruyn to lead Warriors

Zander de Bruyn, the South African allrounder, has been appointed captain of South African domestic side the Warriors. de Bruyn - who signed a two-year contract in May 2006 to play for the Eastern Cape Franchise - will replace Robin Peterson, the left-arm spinner, as captain.

Russell Domingo, the Warriors coach, spoke highly of de Bruyn and added that he was the ideal candidate to replace Peterson, who is expected to be away on national duty regularly this season, starting with the Champions Trophy in India next month.

"Zander brings a high work ethic and also a lot experience to the team," Domingo told Supercricket. "He is very excited about his appointment and I know he will lead from the front in all aspects throughout the season."

de Bruyn entered the record books in 2003-04, when he became only the second player (after Barry Richards) in South African domestic cricket history to score over a thousand runs in a Supersport Series or Currie Cup season. He was rewarded with a call-up to the South African Test side in November 2004 for the tour of India. His Test career got off to an encouraging start, scoring 83 in his debut innings in Kanpur. However, he played only two Tests after that, his last at Port Elizabeth against England later that year.

de Bruyn was upbeat about the season ahead. "I am very excited about taking on this responsibility of being captain of the Warriors and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead," he said. "The guys are working hard and I really think it is going to be a good season for the team."