Although in and of itself the toss of a coin before the match is not unique to cricket, the emphasis and intrigue surrounding it most certainly is.
A mere formality in Australian rules, tennis and football, a cricket captain who wins the toss gives their side an indelible advantage, with the chance to exploit the conditions in their favour.
So with half an hour until the first ball is bowled – and half of that dreaded warm-up still to go – both captains will convene at the wicket with the umpires. Exchanging team sheets, pleasantries and painful small talk, both have their mind made up as to what they will do should the coin come down in their favour.
Perhaps in overcast conditions the wicket exhibits a green tinge, and the opening batsmen are hoping they will be required only to field. Or maybe on a flat wicket in baking sun, the bowlers pray that they won’t be flinging the leather until later. Either way, there’s 22 players whose attention – with varying degrees of subtlety – becomes fixed on the mini-conference in the centre of the ground.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
The coin goes up. With Ian Chappell’s maxim ringing in their ears that “nine times out of ten, you bat first, and on the tenth you think about bowling and bat anyway,” the winning captain makes their decision and informs their teammates with either a shadow drive or an unintelligible flick of the wrist whether they will be batting or bowling.
For the captain on the international stage, next comes the post-toss interview. A quick justification of decision for the winner, and a diplomatic “we would have done the same but there might be a bit in it during the first hour” for the loser. That this interview even exists serves to highlight just how much value cricketers place on the coin toss.
That being said, the skipper doesn’t always get it right, and cricketers have a long memory when it comes to a toss gone wrong.
Ever heard of Roger Federer being criticised for serving first at Wimbledon? Didn’t think so. No such luck for Nasser Hussain, the touring England captain, who in 2002 elected to bowl first at the Gabba. Fast forward to the end of the day, and Australia had posted a mammoth 2-364.
In Hussain’s defence, England claimed the first wicket after 14 overs, it’s just that the second didn’t fall until Ricky Ponting and Matt Hayden had both registered centuries.
Speaking of Ponting, for all his glory as a batsman and a captain, one decision haunts him and Australian cricket to this day: choosing to bowl under overcast skies against England at Edgbaston in 2005. Having lost Glenn McGrath to a freak injury in the warm-up (curse those damned warm-ups again), the Poms piled on the pain, making more than 400 in a day and going on to win the match. The match is seen as the turning point in one of the greatest series ever.
Of course, some captains don’t even get the chance to make the wrong decision. Instead, they hold the mantle as infamously poor coin-tossers. Australian captain Tim Paine is one of these, at one stage boasting a record of just one toss won from eight coins flipped – the worst in history.
Others are only too pleased to boast of their tossing exploits. The captain of an under-12 team I once coached even claimed his enviable winning streak continued when the opposition won the toss, but we still got to bat first anyway.
So whether you or your captain is a good tosser, a bad tosser, or just a straight up tosser, know this: the humble coin flip carries more weight, speculation and scrutiny on the cricket field than in almost any capacity.
Treat it with the respect it deserves.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Hi Andrew I was referring to the article I linked above. Thanks for giving us some content to read in lockdown!
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Thanks for your feedbakck, Badmanners. The article, is not actually about doing away with the toss whatsoever. That is merely a debate that has emerged in the comments (which is fine, of course) instead the article focuses on the quirks and oddities of the game. Cheers.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
The article along with most of the others I've seen is very short on details and stats. If we were to contemplate doing away with the toss I'd like it to be a decision evidence based rather than just what people "think" will happen.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've heard he did but have no details at all. Apparently there was no love lost between him and I Chappell. I wonder if that was why?
1DER
Guest
The toss of the coin will still take place if the visiting captain does not elect to bowl first. Looks like the pitches are now being prepared as to not give the seam bowlers a huge advantage. Also the article did not give the stats for how many elected to take up the option to bowl first?
1DER
Guest
Didn't Botham sit an Australian Captain on his haunches?
Paul
Roar Guru
I heard a very un-cool story about Clarke's behaviour on the evening that Mike Hussey played his last day of Test cricket. Based, on that alone, your description of Clarke's people management is on the money for sure.
soapit
Roar Guru
I think I'm close to you on this. Probably would be the fairest thing but would also be sad to lose the toss forever
soapit
Roar Guru
Give the away team the choice
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So l was a bit harsh on 48/77. My point is that he had a very good attack, great batsmen and one who happened to be a fine wicky. He had an excellent team. I think Bill Hayden had a dog who could’ve led the team just as well. —- I never felt he led the team more he just ambled through. the job. Nothing on Waugh or Taylor or even Clarke tactically speaking.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Most of us would be aware that in County Cricket they did away with the toss and it does seem to have had some effect but I haven't found anything newer than this covering it. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/18/county-championship-cricket-first-division-second-division
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Clarke good tactically but had the man-management skills of a piece of broken concrete. He ruined Katich's career. (Every team needs a Croatian)
Paul
Roar Guru
different books Rowdy!!
Max Hatzoglou
Roar Pro
In that situation you could just do a traditional coin toss if both teams aren’t playing home.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No Aussie would take that record. What? And be known as the only Aussie to lose it 3 times. He was a fairweather captain who meandered through the real duties of captain. I'd rather have a 42% win record and 4 Ashes wins.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So if, A) the team getting the toss usually wins ---AND---- B) the home team usually wins. ---- Lets give the 'toss advantage' to the visiting team. Seems fair. Fairer than what we do now.
Paul
Roar Guru
48 wins in 77 Tests and only 13 losses suggests we're reading different books Rowdy. :stoked:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No, poor, 3 Ashes lost. E.N.D of S.T.O.R.Y
Paul
Roar Guru
You're right, but the problem is, the people doing the commentary, think we need to have the time between deliveries filled in with white noise. This is especially so if there's not a lot happening, at least in the view of the commentators. It's fair to mention the conditions once or twice in a session but after that, leave it alone unless it's radio commentary.
Paul
Roar Guru
Freddie Flintoff wouldn't? Probably Beefy would be another.