“You don’t play the game forever and you have to take these chances when they come.”
Stephen Peters, named as Northamptonshire club captain this week, has admitted that it didn’t take him long to accept that job when it was offered and that he has always had an ambition to lead.
The 33-year-old opening batsman succeeds Andrew Hall in the role and is delighted that he will get the chance to put his own stamp on proceedings.
He said: “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and that has been the case from a long time ago.
“I got asked my opinion and whether I wanted to do it and it was an easy decision to make.
“I’ve done it a bit before when Jumble (David Sales) and Nicky (Boje) have been injured but I’ve never had the chance in these kind of circumstances where I’ve been able to do it how I wanted to.
“I’ve always had the opinion that if I’m going to do it then I want to do it properly and have a full year at it.”
Peters will be supported by Alex Wakely, who has been given the role of vice-captain for the County Championship and captain in the limited overs formats, and he said that he has no problems with the responsibilities being shared.
“I think it’s quite right that Alex does the one-dayers,” he added.
“I want to be in the one-day team and it has annoyed me a bit that I haven’t been so I’ll be doing my best in that area.
“But Alex did very well in the Twenty20 last season and we won’t be doing anything that hasn’t been tried and tested before.
“I think it will work well and I’ve got no problems with it.”
As for what kind of captain he will be, Peters intends to lead by example, a trait that he has observed and admired in others he has played under during his career.
He continued: “The best captains I’ve played under have been ones who have led by example.
“That doens’t mean just on the pitch but it could be in the gym or at practice.
“I want to stay as close to being me as I can. I do get grumpy sometimes and that isn’t going to change but as long as I bring level-headedness to the role then I’ll be happy.”
That takes care of the personal aspect, but what about the team he will take into competition?
“I want us to be hard to beat and get a bit of grit and determination in the way we play our cricket.
“I’m very passionate about this and if we can be like that then we can turn things around and turn sides over.
“If we can be solid and well-organised then that is what I want and that will be a good start.”
And one aspect of the job apart - “I won’t enjoy telling people that they’re not playing” - he is already itching for next April to come around.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to getting into the job and just getting on with it.
“You don’t play the game forever and you have to take these chances when they come.”