Greater Northern Raiders captain Caitlyn Webster's first taste of captaincy came unexpectedly.
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It was in the side's semi-final match against Clarence in the 2019-2020 season, when then-captain Sam Cotton was a last minute withdrawal.
Despite the Raiders loss, Webster compiled 50 runs off 64 balls.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," she said.
"I'd been helping alongside Sam at that point, [but] then to step up in such a critical game and to take the reins it was a little bit intimidating but I enjoyed the experience as well, it was really good."
Now, Webster has been called up to the plate to captain the team through its 2020-2021 season, with Cotton taking a season sabbatical.
Webster said she and Raiders coach Darren Simmonds had been talking across the off-season, and agreed the opportunity presented itself as a chance to develop her career.
"It was mixed emotions for sure, it's definitely an amazing opportunity to captain a side like the Raiders," Webster said.
"But knowing with the condensing of the competition into four teams - that we were going to get a few star players ... to be captain alongside them was going to be both exciting and a little bit intimidating.
"But mostly exciting because I'll be able to learn that much from them .. it's amazing."
In other news:
Webster now finds herself supported by an experienced complement including Hobart Hurricanes captain Corinne Hall and former state player Emma Manix-Geeves.
"Navigating [captaincy] that is fun, especially working alongside Corinne has been amazing ... I can't really put it into words it's been really great fun," she said.
"Coming from someone who hasn't played at their level, they see and are thinking about things before they even happen.
"They pick up on things that I'm not and we work together and it works very well."
The South Launceston keeper-batter said moving up from vice-captain to the lead role had its positives and negatives, but she was ready to relish in the opportunity.
"Being that go-to person, that leader. From organising team sheets, toss and squad selections right through to game day - my mind is constantly ticking," Webster said.
But most importantly, Webster's goal both personally and for her squad this season was to have fun and develop the team's ability to handle its own against the condensed, quality competition.
"Being the first season, it's all very new still but just gaining my experience in that and improving in those qualities a captain should have," she said.