Kwame Tucker has been appointed to lead Premier Division Two-Day and Limited Overs champions Southampton Rangers following the decision by cousin Janeiro Tucker to step down and the departure of Clevie Wade.

Wade resigned as coach at Southampton Oval during the off-season while Janeiro relinquished the captaincy, paving the way for his Bermuda and Somerset Cup Match team-mate Kwame, who says he feels comfortable at the helm.

“I’ve captained the team in the past, and so things should be alright. I’ve already got the support of the players around me, and so everything should just fall into place,” the Rangers’ wicketkeeper/batsman said.

Tucker has inherited the huge task of upholding the club’s proud winning tradition and maintaining their dominance on the local cricket scene.

“Obviously we are looking to defend all of our trophies. But we also intend to take things one match at a time and then see what the outcome will be at the end of the day,” he added.

Former team captain Janeiro will now assume coaching duties at the Oval in the wake of Wade’s surprise decision to resign. Janeiro gave up the captaincy due to increasing work and family commitments, having married the daughter of former Somerset Cup Match batsman Carl Swan last year.

“I just had to give it up because it’s very difficult being captain and also having to coach and go to work,” said Tucker, who captained Bermuda to World Cup qualification at the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland.

He said he was fully confident in his cousin’s ability to lead the team.

“I will still be there to lend a hand, and I know that Kwame is capable of getting the job done,” Janeiro said. “I think this is a good time for Kwame to lead the team because it will give him a new challenge and responsibility.”

As for his new coaching role at the club, Tucker said: “So far things have been pretty good while the guys have responded well to the various programmes that I have laid out for them.”

Janeiro, who will be assisted in coaching Rangers by Kwame, veteran left arm spinner Dwayne Leverock and former national coach George Rock, is also optimistic the club can continue their winning ways — despite the loss of coach Wade and slugger Lionel Cann.

“It’s going to be a little difficult without those guys because Clevie (Wade) did a good job over the past several years while Lionel was also a good addition to the team,” he said.

“But now it is time for the younger players like Malachi (Jones) and Andrew (Raynor) to step up their game, while others like Kwame, Dion (Stovell) and myself will have to step up as well.”

And with the season fast approaching, Tucker is confident his team will again be in contention for top honours.

“We have successfully defended the titles we have won over the past two years. And so we are going to try to continue winning and if things don’t go our way, then we will have to work harder. But our main objective is to continue winning,” he said.

And as far as his international cricket career is concerned, Tucker said: “I’m still going to continue playing because I love to play cricket. And as long as they (Bermuda Cricket Board) want me to play, then I will be willing to hang around.”