Stand-in skipper Nick Barton (left) and injured first team captain Simon Sharrott will still be working together, even though the latter is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament problem. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0827562)

FEW can lead by example better than Nick Barton.

The New Zealander has been the outstanding player for Guernsey for the past couple of seasons and he commands the utmost respect from his peers because of his ability and his extensive knowledge of the game.

In short, he was the obvious choice to take over the captaincy reins from the injured Simon Sharrott.

‘Barts was always going to be my vice-captain this season anyway, so it is a natural progression on the field,’ said Sharrott, who reported that the latest diagnosis on his knee was that it was his medial ligament that was torn and an MRI scan was imminent.

The captain’s role is one that Barton takes in his stride.

‘I have been a captain for about five years back home and also did it a couple of times last season when Simps [Sharrott] was out, so I am just really picking up from there,’ he said.

‘We worked as a bit of a team last year – the coach, Simps and myself – and that will basically be continuing, even though Simps will be on the sidelines.’