On the back of Shane Warne’s recent tweets, there’s been some conjecture over how much power a cricket coach should have compared to the captain of the side.
It made me think, why is cricket the only mainstream sport where the captain of the side has more pull than the coach?
The answer is because it’s always been that way and most cricket pundits would like it to stay that way.
Obviously where cricket’s unique to the other sports is that when the game starts all the decisions and tactics are made and played out on the field. The coach on the sideline is unable to make substitutions or draw up plays like in other sports. The captain sets the field and makes bowling changes while the coach watches on.
The role of the Australian cricket captain has always had great prestige attached to it, with people often joking that the role is more important than the role of the prime minister.
But cricket’s changing and so too is its old fashioned traditional views.
Over the years the role of the coach has become more and more important. These days we have batting coaches, bowling coaches and fielding coaches, but it wasn’t until the 1980s when Australia finally employed a full-time coach in Bob Simpson. That, of course, was one of the great turning points in Australian cricket.
So why can’t the coach, for instance, tell the captain when to declare? They already do all the pre-planning and match tactics prior to the start of the match so it’s only natural that they have input as the game progresses.
Of course the captain will always have a major role within a cricketing side. They have to come up with decisions on the fly without being able to consult with the coach. A great tactical captain like Michael Clarke should still have the freedom to go with his gut instincts and make changes on the ground as he sees fit.
That will never change and nor should it.
But wouldn’t a more powerful role for the coach lessen some of the burden attached to the captain’s role? Surely it would, we’ve seen in recent times how much influence a great coach can have over a side.
It wasn’t long ago that Australian cricket was a basket case even under the leadership of Clarke, and it took a strong character like Lehmann to turn it around almost overnight. We’re seeing similar things at Western Australia under Justin Langer and it’s no wonder he’s being touted as the next Australian coach.
Coaches already have more of a say at the selection table with the captain no longer having a vote, and it’s probably only a matter of time before they lose even more power.
Don Freo
Guest
They both ran themselves out. Good learning!
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
Boof is doing a fantastic job, we are at top of world cricket in both test and ODI cricket, lets get behind our team
Don Freo
Guest
Another gem from JL with reference to Marcus Harris; "There can be no better education for Marcus Harris than to spend some time out in the middle with Michael Klinger."
Don Freo
Guest
It worth your while listening to the live commentary of the NSW/WA game from Newcastle. Right now, Justin Langer is being interviewed. Great comments on Oz cricket, what coaches and selectors are paying attention to. For WA, great comments about David Moody and Jai Richardson (lightning fast)...not Kane... He is very glowing about Peter Nevill and has him ahead of Whiteman. "We love Sammy...but..." He is speaking like a coach...and it is about bringing players on and tightening the performances of what senior players are doing. He looks at trends...not once off stuff. sportfm.com.au
Rellum
Roar Guru
The Captain is also the one who is responsible for bowling changes and again he can't just follow the plans set out before play as the game is too organic for that to play out, and you can stop the game for drinks every time a coach would want a bowling or fielding change. Unless Boof puts a mic in Clarke/Smiths ear I guess.
pjm
Roar Rookie
The coach can't get near the wicket during the day so he doesn't know what it's doing while the captain see's it after every over.
Rellum
Roar Guru
A captain has to have significantly more control in cricket than other sports has he is the one who sets the field. Yes there are fielding plans the team leadership decides on before play but a captain with his bowler needs to be pro-active and make decisions on the fly.
Winston
Guest
It is a very good question why cricket is any different from other sports. Whether batting or fielding, there are plenty of breaks in the game for messages to be passed from the dressing room down to the players. It's always going to be easier to analyse things from the sidelines as compared to when you're in the heat of battle (sometimes literally in the heat for 5 hours at 40 degrees). I would have thought more and more power should shift to the coach and the captain's role will be limited to be like a football team captain, ie to inspire, lead from the front, front the media, poster boy, and that's it. It would also make selection easier because you can take captaincy out of the equation and just select based on wickets, runs, fielding etc.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
A cricket coach should be more of a manager really. They are there to assure cohesion from the personalities of the playing group. Tactics are discussed, I'm sure, but with a whole team of coaches and advisers. The coach has no major role in this side of a cricket team. The reason boof has been so successful is he is a great man manager. He brought back the ultimate team-man in Haddin and made everyone feel welcome and settled in the team.
Bigbaz
Guest
Simpson was appointed to help an overwhelmed young inexperienced captain and team. The coaches influence since then has waxed and wained according to the captains wishes and strength. I can't imagine homeworkgate happening under any other coach/ captain combination that Australia has had.i still think the " coaches" we have had are more managers anyway and we have basically always had them.
ross prentice
Guest
Warnie as I'm sure most people know is an absolute fool. He has never believed in coaches and too often rants insanely about them. His tirades are embarrassing to cricket and he should not be allowed on any commentary team. He does far more harm than good.