Get To Know Your Captains: James Fennah
West of Scotland XI captain James Fennah spoke to us as part of our ongoing series of articles hearing directly from our captains about pre-season and their ambitions for 2025 .
James Fennah, West of Scotland XI Captain 2025
We began our discussion by looking back at last season, which saw West of Scotland XI relegated from the Premier Division but with contrasting fortunes in 20 over cricket - running out champions of the Rowan Cup. “Since I joined West in 2016, I have never seen anything like it. The 2024 season was a strange one, we struggled with guys playing regularly due to other commitments and milestones in their lives. Apart from being relegated, 2024 wasn’t a bad season for West in the Cups. As captain, I have now won both the McCulloch and Rowan Cup which I feel is a big achievement not only personally but for the club.”
James acknowledged it was a topsy turvy campaign, in part influenced by his own availability, but that he expected his influence to be much greater in the 2025 season. “I want to drive the team to success and bounce straight back up – that will be our main focus. I found a bit of form with the bat in the 2024 season and I am hoping that in the 2025 season, I can lead from the front in all 3 disciplines. Leading wicket taker in Division 2 in the 2025 season is a personal goal of mine. I’m also looking forward to the busy T20 schedule and hopefully competing well in all competitions.”
Over the Winter the West of Scotland XI captaincy group was bolstered by the election of New Zealander Oscar Shepperson as vice-captain. After an impressive start to his West career towards the end of the 2024 campaign, we asked James what we expected Oscar to bring to the role. “Shep brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having played at a high level back home. He has an unbelievable amount of talent in all three disciplines but I think we will really see his talent on show coming into the 2025 season with the ball. I am guilty of batting him low down the order when he proved once or twice that he could do a good job in the middle overs.”
Despite the winter period, James has spent plenty of time at the club supporting the ongoing renovation work. “I have spent quite a bit of time at the club this off season re-wiring and installing the fire system to allow the club to get back to hosting functions and getting some much needed money through the door. But I like to spend some time away from cricket in the offseason, in my home gym, watching football, going out for a couple of pints and, mostly, not thinking about cricket.
James also took some time to acknowledge the work the club does to bring in new members. “The warm welcome and the diversity of the players at the club is what makes the club so special. We accommodate any level of cricketer, from the highest of standards to people that have never picked up a bat or ball before. For me, West is the only club to play for in Glasgow.”
