“We all leave footprints as we journey through life, make sure yours are worth following”— Bob Teague

Great leaders cast large shadows and bequeath out-sized shoes of responsibility for their successors.

When Jordan DeSilva assumed the position as Somerset’s cricket captain there existed a massive legacy of Cup Match success spearheaded by his predecessor, Jekon Edness, the standard against which the former would be measured.

There exists no doubt in Somerset that DeSilva further raised the bar and will be a most difficult act to follow, even as one must.

A three-times winner of the midsummer classic as captain, DeSilva has never come close to surrendering the prized silver trophy in his seven years at the helm, having presided over two ten-wicket victories and an innings triumph.

This past August saw him again head a Somerset outfit that dominated their eastern counterparts, scoring more than 400 first-innings runs while having St George’s endure a forced follow-on to achieve a draw.

Even as DeSilva’s individual batting and bowling displays have not stood out statistically, his ability to inspire and enable others to perform to peak levels, has earned him a place in Cup Match lore as an on-field genius and one that leaves large shoes to fill.

Granted the club’s league performances and placements have not always been as stellar as their Cup Match exploits, but this past summer has featured success in both 50 overs and T20 formats, with Somerset winning the First Division title in the former, while placing third in the latter.

Having announced his departure from the position a little more than two weeks ago, the 33-year-old participates in his final match as captain and he fittingly he left with a flourish, guiding his troops to an emphatic ten-wicket victory over St David’s.

The triumph came a day after he had steered the West Enders toward a top-three placing in the Athene Premier Division T20 competition, with a 99-run thrashing of Western Stars, who were competing for the same position.

At the end of Sunday’s match, DeSilva took time to reflect on his reign, describing the feeling as somewhat “weird”, with the magnitude of his decision to step away not yet fully crystallised.

“It’s a weird feeling right now,” said DeSilva, who first broke into the team as a talent-laden 14-year-old.

“I don’t really know what to do with myself. I’ll probably figure that out over the winter and then when cricket starts up.

“I don’t know what my plans are for next year. I know what my intentions are, but as far as the captaincy, the seven years I’ve enjoyed every second of it and if anybody needs help I’ll always make myself available and be there.

“That’s always been my thing, being a leader, all the way from school days, and cricket is something I’ve always excelled at. I’ve enjoyed it and it’s been good to finish with a couple of victories.”

The weekend’s matches also presented opportunities for DeSilva to turn back the clock to the time when he starred as a wicketkeeper-batsman, with the all-rounder eschewing taking a final lap as a left-arm medium-pacer in favour of donning the gloves behind the stumps.

“I went out of the game the same way I came in, wicketkeeping the last two days,” said DeSilva.

“When I first started out playing cricket in school, I was a wicketkeeper and then I got too tall and started bowling.

“I did it yesterday [Saturday] and today I said, ‘what the heck’ and the guys said I did alright.”

Further asked as to the likelihood of him being available for Cup Match selection next year as a regular player, DeSilva said as of now he is available, but that is subject to change.

There have also been abundant rumours that DeSilva has a long-held desire to play in the Eastern Counties for St David’s, an institution and region to which he is believed to have strong familial ties.

“I haven’t made my mind up on whether I’m going to play or not,” he said. “As of now I’m available, but I’ll make that decision when cricket starts again.

“Right now it’s about focusing on what I want to do league-wise and whatever else.”

One factor pointing towards DeSilva perhaps enduring one more Cup Match is how Somerset have often retained the captain a year beyond retirement as a means of easing in his replacement.

“That’s often been personal choices that have been made,” said DeSilva. “I’m satisfied with what I’ve done and while I would love to finish up here, if that doesn’t happen I’m fine with that, too.

“But it’s just one day at a time. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”