Get To Know Your Captains: Jonny Williams
In the latest in our series previewing the 2025 with West’s captains, 2XI skipper Jonny Williams reflects on a successful 2024 and tells us what to expect from his team over the summer months.
2025’s 2XI Captain Jonny Williams
It's been another busy winter for Jonny Williams, who was appointed as 2025 2XI at this year’s AGM. A keen runner, Jonny completed another marathon at the end of the season, competes regularly in park runs and has just “got the nod” for the Chicago marathon this year, so, in his own words, “I’ll need to keep shuffling over the off season.”
A club stalwart, as a playing member for over 40 years, he acknowledges that he has seen his share of ups and downs at West but that he can’t remember a time when the teams have been closer, adding “there really is a great “club feel” about the place. It’s just a great place to play some decent cricket with decent folk.”
A successful 2XI can lead to a successful club in general, allowing for the blooding of young players seeking competitive opportunities as they hope to reach the 1XI. “It’s a difficult one – we have to produce a competitive team whilst giving our youngsters a challenging environment in which to learn the game – as they hopefully then pass into the first team.”
Two of West’s most promising youngsters were part of Jonny’s personal highlight from last season as Blake Stanton and Athsham Hussain held the crease in a nerve-jangling run chase vs Cambusdoon in July which saw Partick win by one wicket. “They held their nerve and got us over the line. For me, it exemplified the type of character, tenacity, will to win and temperament that we must develop in our youngers if we are to reestablish ourselves in the top division.”
Looking forward, Jonny noted that while he wants everyone to enjoy their cricket, personal responsibility will be the key word for 2XI players. “Not only in your performance on the field but also off it. Don’t leave it to someone else. That’s not just about “walking off having scored the winning runs or taking the final wicket but picking up that crisp bag, tidying up the kit pit and arriving on time. I want to see everyone take responsibility for doing things when no one is looking!”
