Named just a week ago as Essex County Cricket Club's team captain for next season, Ronnie Irani has had time to reflect on his appointment.

Revealing how he heard of his new role, Irani said: "I was called to see the club chairman, David Acfield and the cricket chairman, Graham Saville the day before the news was released to the media and I was told that I'd been chosen to captain Essex.

"Nasser was there and Keith Fletcher said it was explained that with Nasser being given a Central Contract by the ECB, he needed to spend most of his time concentrating on his England duties and my appointment would give everyone a different line of focus and continuity."

Compared to last season when Irani was the vice-captain, this time around he has far more influence, as he explained: "Last year when I was skippering the side, which I thoroughly enjoyed, the role was more of a caretaker capacity.

''It was difficult for me and also for Nasser and also for the players but now we have continuity and what happens this season is my responsibility.

"I'm in charge and responsible for decisions at the club, for people's careers and everything that goes with the territory of being captain and that makes it very important that we start to get the right results at the club with the players we have. I have to do my bit to try and make players better cricketers."

Irani, 28, is fully aware of the momentous task that lies ahead if the aim of promotion in the league competitions is to be realised.

He admitted: "That's what people will judge us on I suppose. The atmosphere is good around the place at present although it's been a difficult winter, everyone is talking positively and that's the way forward.

"I've spoken to all of the players about what I expect from them and I've said to them that I basically want two things, firstly I want everybody to be fully fit all the time because I never had a full side when I was captain last year.

"The second thing is that I want them to be hungry for success. I believe there is enough talent and ability in our dressing room but we have to work on how to get our players to show it consistently.

The popular all-rounder added:''If they produce the results, fine, if not then you have to move on in life.

"I'm not putting the fear factor into players, I don't believe that line is going to help anybody but it's up to the players as individuals to come to terms with the demands.

''It's a career that they have chosen and they have to produce the best results for both themselves and this club.

"I'm not setting targets of runs or wickets, I want to see everyone contributing the maximum input and helping to do their part in winning games for Essex.

"I want players to react like I would if things are not going to plan and that's show a fighting spirit and challenge hard in everything we do."

For Irani, the past few months have sent him on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Having been selected to tour New Zealand and Bangladesh with the England 'A' party, he contracted chicken-pox which halted his tour and opportunity to continue his push for full England Test recognition.

The ride though is now firmly into forward mode and ascendancy with the Essex captaincy.

The second part of Irani's interview will appear next week.

Ronnie Irani: Aware of the momentous task that lies ahead for Essex, promotion in the league competitions being the main aim.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.