Cup Match hero Janeiro Tucker has spoken for the first time over his reluctance to captain the national cricket team.

The all-rounder was among a handful of candidates for the skipper's job for the forthcoming Americas Cup tournament in Argentina, but made it clear he did not want the post. Veteran Charlie Marshall has since been appointed.

"It's all in the timing . . . and the timing just wasn't right," said Tucker.

Now in his third season as skipper of Southampton Rangers, the hard hitting middle order batsman who surpassed Lloyd James' 39 year-old Cup Match record for the highest individual score last summer, said it was still too early in his career to accept the responsibility of leading his country.

"Although I have been skipper at Southampton for the past two seasons, to take on the role of captain of the national team is a big responsibility," he added. "I still have a lot of years ahead of me in cricket and I am in no hurry to assume that role at the moment.

"I would prefer to wait until I feel 100 percent certain that I can meet the challenges which accompany that responsibility."

Asked about the Board's decision to appoint Charlie Marshall, Tucker replied: "It really doesn't matter who I play under, I don't mind at all."

Tucker blasted his way into the Cup Match record book with an innings of 186 last year at Wellington Oval.