A big issue coming down the road of Australian cricket is who will succeed Tim Paine as captain of the Test team.
In ideal times there would be half a dozen strong candidates to choose from.
These times are not ideal, partly because of Australian cricket’s prejudice against bowling captains and partly due to the top order’s instability.
We keep picking players who lead their state teams and could conceivably captain the national side – Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Mitch Marsh – only to drop them.
We have some possible alternatives – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon – but they have no state or Australia A captaincy experience.
The person who would do the best job of captain is banned from doing so for life: David Warner.
That really only leaves Steve Smith, one of the all-time genius batsmen and clearly a serious thinker of the game… but a great captain?
Well, what is a great captain?
You need three things: the ability to keep your place in the team as a player alone, basic tactical nous, and great leadership.
That first quality is rarely a problem in Australian cricket due to our sensible habit of picking the team first then the captain. Occasionally things get tricky when the captain has a form wobble (Ian Craig, Ian Johnson, Mark Taylor) but on the whole it’s never been a major issue.
Most Australian captains have the second quality covered, too. Some are brilliant tactically (Michael Clarke, Shane Warne), others more average, but most of them seem to have a basic knowledge of where to put fielders and how to construct a batting order, and you don’t need more than that. Tactical flair is overrated.
That leaves the third quality – being a great leader. This is the one that separates the men from the boys.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Libraries of books have been written about what makes a leader. But it could be boiled down to one question: “If they were your captain, would you genuinely go to them for advice if your marriage was in trouble?”
A great leader is someone who, if you were going through something massively personal like a marriage break-up, you would seek advice from.
Consider what qualities such a person would need.
They must be approachable, have some degree of authority but be empathetic, be capable of keeping confidence, know something of the world and the intricacies of human relationships, be sensible, plus be a friend, a colleague and a mentor all at once.
These are not qualities everyone has.
Look at the Australian cricket captains commonly considered great: Mark Taylor, Richie Benaud, and Ian Chappell.
As if their team members wouldn’t have gone to them for marriage advice.
Taylor isn’t a good commentator, but you can tell he was a great listener. Ditto Benaud and Chappell. At state level I’d throw in John Inverarity, Simon Katich, Cameron White and George Bailey to this group. Magnificent captains, all.
Look at the Australian cricket captains commonly considered not very good: Kim Hughes and Graham Yallop.
They don’t seem like people who you’d genuinely go to for marriage advice.
Let’s look at captains about whom opinion is more divisive.
Greg Chappell? You wouldn’t go to him for advice if your marriage was in trouble – at least, I can’t imagine his whole team doing so. He was too prone to tea-potting them on the field. Great player – probably too great to have true empathy. Average captain.
You know who I would have gone to, though? Rod Marsh. Marsh was truly the great lost Australian cricket captain of the 1980s. He feels like someone who had the authority, but also the empathy, the wisdom and kindness, to give you decent advice if your marriage was collapsing.
Marsh was vice captain for a long time – and a good vice can really help those captains who lack empathy and insight.
Look at Don Bradman. You wouldn’t go to the Don for advice if your marriage was in trouble. What sort of understanding of human failings are you going to get from someone with a Test average of 99.94? Bradman is considered a great captain because he had himself in the team, and he was tactically strong.
But in the 1930s half his side wished that Vic Richardson was in charge instead. In the 1940s this became less of an issue because Lindsay Hassett was his vice captain and Hassett gave off the aura of someone you could tell anything. For that reason Hassett was a better captain than Bradman, so too Bill Woodfull and Richardson.
Ask this question about other Australian captains and see what you think. Bob Simpson? No. Bill Lawry? No. Keith Miller? Yes. Adam Gilchrist? Yes. Allan Border? Um, no, sorry, can’t see it. Although I can imagine Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor doing it, which is why Border only became an effective leader once he had Marsh and then Taylor as his vice.
It doesn’t mean these captains can’t be successful, or even good. It just means that I wouldn’t classify them as great.
Shane Warne? Would you go to Warnie for advice if your marriage was in trouble? Actually, yeah, I think you would. In the days before he morphed into a media conglomerate, he would know a bit about human failings. This is why he would have made a great captain. Not as great as Mark Taylor but he would have empathy and something wise to say.
I wouldn’t go to Michael Clarke. But I would go to Brad Haddin – Clarke was a far more effective leader with Haddin as his vice.
Look at captains from other countries. Eoin Morgan? Yes. Mike Brearley? Absolutely yes. Joe Root and Alastair Cook? No. Geoff Boycott? Absolutely no. Clive Lloyd? Yes. Frank Worrell? Yes. Garfield Sobers? No. Sunil Gavaskar? No. Virat Kohli? Actually yes, hearing him say some things about life, he’d be good. Imran Khan? Yes. Javed Miandad? No.
Which brings us to Steve Smith.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Brilliant player. Tactically great.
But he just comes across as a kid. A good natured kid, but one who doesn’t know much about the ways of the world. Whether it’s in the way he talks, or the contents of his memoir, or in his actions as captain, he seems like a boy, not the sort you’d tell about your marriage problems.
Tim Paine, on the other hand, does.
As does Pat Cummins.
Cummins should be the next cab off the Australian captaincy rank. Not only is his selection in the team near-guaranteed, he’d have leadership capabilities, the authority and the diplomacy to be in charge of Warner and Smith, which is no small thing. At the very least, it’s definitely worth testing his captaincy skills at state level.
Let Smith be our Sachin Tendulkar. Let him be immortal. Immortals shouldn’t have to deal with the problems of people on earth, which is what captains have to do.
Try asking this question about people in your own life – especially bosses you’ve had over the years.
There have been worse one-question ways to test someone.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Warner's lucky that none of our other openers are pushing him out! He's the best of an uninspiring crop at the moment.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
True well never know but one thing is for sure his performances were still really good as captain. Didn't seem to effect his output . I know in assessing smiths foreign form, his foreign loss against India was close 1-2 and a draw . He did well there though we just went down after nearly stealing a draw in India. This was before the sth african debacle where it went pair shaped and no wonder it went down hill there but quite a few of those losses were india, sri lanka and banglesh which are all tough tours especially where the side has not been playing spin so well recently. Smith will be ok to go and we can strengthen the batting if paine isn't making runs. The keeper skill level is still a concern but maybe an overblown one given Paine is getting on . As for warner I understand what your saying but the greater part of my thinking on him is thats he's lucky to be in the side mate. Interesting thoughts from you though
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd feel happier if you invited all on here to this question. ---- That said, IMNSHO, the Headingley test was a debacle. We had the Un-Colgate field setting; the "ring of no-confidence". Everyone on the boundary like beach cricket. It was the biggest, loosest cable-tie I've ever seen. For the last wicket mind you. ---- We should've had a deepish gully-almost 3rd man, a deep extra cover and a deep mid wicket and everybody else crowding the bat for Lyon; esp for Leach. Labs got 5 overs but Smith nuthing. A Smith loosener could've taken the wicket. I don't know why Smith wasn't given a go but he should've been. He was Midas with the bat maybe some gold would've rubbed off on his leggies. Mix the fielding up of course reducing to 5 or 6 at the bat to create some doubt. But there was virtually nothing. Warne would've led an insurrection! ---- The changes were uninspired, the fast bowlers more hoping for a wicket than searching. Paine didn't present at the bowler and infusing them with an idea or hint or even a load of old baloney; nothing. A silly point, silly square and, at times, a silly mid-wicket should've been employed with the intent of forcing an error off the quicks. ----- Paine's field settings are regulation at the start but around the 35th-40th Over he tends to meander and dither with bowler changes and field pressure. He appears to be hedging instead of attacking. More evident in some tests than others. ---- Lyon bowled too straight n flat at times and in the 5th was injured or something. That's why there a rumblings now for someone to be blooded as a back up. ---- I was travelling for most of this series but got piecemeal feeds from various sources but did get some TV here n there.
Machiavelli
Guest
Rowdy, I would be particularly interested on your thoughts regarding the Ashes tactics. To me, the stand outs were winning the toss twice and sending them in for a loss and a draw. Particularly in the final test. Particularly on not being able to get the final wicket to win the test at Headingley (?). I have my own theories, but I would like to hear yours first. Thks.
JamesH
Roar Guru
"we can’t change the fact he has no boundaries in his decision making" That's exactly what I'm lamenting! The tactical ability is wasted on someone who hasn't shown enough maturity to lead. Smith's record in away tests as captain is 5-1-8, for one series win (his first, vs NZ), one draw (Bangladesh) and three losses - reasonable without being good (he didn't captain the 2015 Ashes, which was Clarke's farewell). Of those series, he performed strongly in NZ and India, passably in SL and poorly in Bangladesh and SA. His batting average as captain is 70 while his overall average since his breakout summer of 2013/14 is 72. In terms of overseas tests in the same period, his batting average as captain is 51, vs an overall average of 64. Only his home average went up as captain. I'm not sure there's an argument there that his performances improved as captain; if anything, the recent Ashes series tells us he would have been at least as good without the responsibility. We'll never know for sure, of course.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
No chance for me Wade, He averaged 33 with bat in UK and was very shaky against spin in the first century and despite a good last century was a bit all over the shop for three tests getting pulled off stump and then bowled lbw by broad and archer. Point is he just should be left to concentrate on his batting and we should hope he can have a great summer. The issue will be addressed again after this summer and possibly after bangladesh . I suspect it will be Smith to take over no matter what we all say and I think he will be a better captain after all is said and done. If he doesn't want it cummins (although he stated a few months ago its not something he was as interested in as he wants to concentrate on the tough spells bowling)
Pierro
Roar Rookie
James interesting to know his record but we can't change the fact he has no boundaries in his decision making, he's more like a kid on the playground or a teenager in the bar in his 30s. So don't lament too much and also off the back of the ashes he is not demonstrating any selectable form abroad as it stands . If his personal output suffered as captain then thats not great either on top of it all. I think Smiths output increased . Test matches are quite tricky to win on tour as opposed to ODIs , Smiths record is actually pretty good considering the lack of batsman he had next to him on the previous ashes tour and the near draw he pulled off in the subcontinent against India before the SA tour debarcle.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Warner is nowhere near the captaincy, even if you put aside his formal ban. On that we agree! I also think Warne would have been a good captain tactically. I'm just lamenting that we have a current player with a strong test record and tactical nous, who has so clearly demonstrated that he isn't leadership material. For the record, Warner has led Australia in 3 ODIs and 9 T20Is, for 11 wins and 1 loss. His personal output actually suffered while captain, though.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'm not hanging the blame solely on Smith at all. But fault in others doesn't change the fact that Smith showed a lack of leadership, followed by an astounding lack of judgement. If we have any other reasonable option then I can't see the logic in going back to someone who failed so badly in the role. This isn't a question of extending the ban, it's a question of who should lead the test side. I don't think Smith should. The Australian captaincy is a privilege. It's not something you just get back because you showed genuine contrition.
JayG
Guest
I think its slightly unfair that you'd exclude Smith permanently from the captaincy thus extending his already disproportionate punishment into a lifetime leadership ban. He's paid his dues and more. The list of ball tamperers is long and illustrious. If he is the best option for the job when Paine retires, I don't think the sandpaper saga should disqualify him. In some ways, Paine had the difficult job of taking a team in disarray and putting in place a new culture but in other ways, he had it easy with CA actively looking to implement a new culture. Compare that to "we don't pay you to play, we pay you to win". Smith would have had to fight the uphill battle to implement this new culture without sandpapergate and its unfortunate fallout but Paine is going with the tide here. Obviously, Paine has had his major role to play but the new culture is also obviously not all him - new coach, new CA administration and a new understanding of the public expectations all have a role to play. I just think the situation prior to sandpaper was nuanced with several parties, even among the Australian cricketing administration, in the wrong 1. Davey Warner for provoking the Saffas and throwing a hissy fit when it was dished back to him 2. CA for not intervening with CSA when Saffa fans and worse, board officials, wore SBW masks to shame Warner's wife. A litigation against by Warner them for providing a hostile workplace could well have had some merit. 3. Smith for not cooling down tempers and regrouping the team after the skirmishes in the prior tests 4. The team support staff including coaches, psychologists etc for not realizing several players including probably Smith and Warner burned out after a grueling schedule and close to breaking point - there were definitely sufficient signs there. Hanging the blame on Smith is a convenient cop out.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Intersting on marsh, its quite hard to compare the older keepers we know they weren't all that healthy in practice and played with smaller bats . The bowlers also played less cricket back then so could go at the batsman pretty hard
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Oh and cricinfo is a good site, however I find howstat.com.au far better for information, including full series results, performances by country etc etc.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Agree WI would have beaten anyone in that era, however Marsh averaged 29.46 against them, which is better than any other country he played against, His average against England in ashes series was 27.22. His last four ashes series he averaged 20.75, 17.50, 19.64, 17.71. Perhaps old age was catching up with him.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I loved his fight, his no-nonsense approach to batting. He had a great focus, every ball was the next ball. And he was a clean, competent wicky and a good foil for the captain.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
one more oversight marsh had to face one of the best west indian teams of all time who decimated everyone with their bowling, bound to drag his average down.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Agree with the bat, dieting, conditioning etc. I don't know how Bradman and co did so well with those thin bats. A friend of mine has a 30's bat, and you wonder how they ever scored a four.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Those stats were from cricinfo. Just missed paines first ashes series at home when england were terrible . He does trail three of them by some distance though with batting on those ashes series. Haddin averaged 60 with the bat in a poor aussie side in 2013 in england and then was poor in his last series probably just getting a bit long in the tooth which is my point on paine too.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Haddin was very solid and his batting stats very good seeing he came in to it a bit later after gilchrests long career
Pierro
Roar Rookie
The other thing that aids paine is bigger more solid bats nowadays, marsh played with limited sports science conditioning diet , harder travel and no doubt a lot more drinking. Paine has the luxury of modern conditioning , food, sports science and conditioning and still hasn’t really outperformed them veterans figuring second to last on averages in a shorter time span. We can discount the players performers potentially in pre 2000 really . Players now have it pretty cushy and are a lot healthier. As bat/keeper big argument to say on these grounds and numbers he’s the least impressive of the four since 1980
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I miss Haddin. One of my favourite cricketers.