I’m not one to quote former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. But he once said he had the second most important job in Australia with the insinuation being that the Australian cricket captaincy was that most important job.
The arrival of Tim Paine into the role marked the 46th Australian cricketer captaining the Test team. In recent times we’ve seen different leadership styles from our captains. Since the 1980s our men’s national team captains have been predominately batsmen.
Taking on the captaincy brings a list of additional, challenging and ultimately defining responsibilities. Managing what happens on the field, applying decisions and tactics, keeping up team spirit and energy plus dealing with media comprise of a daunting job description.
The need to set an example and be a role model also creates pressure. I recall the press conference given by Kim Hughes in 1985. Hughes announced his resignation from the job in a few moments that exposed the emotional wear and tear of the role.
Looking like a broken man, Hughes was unable to finish reading his prepared statement to journalists, leaving the room in tears.
Tim Paine. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
We’ve witnessed differing ways of leading teams by a range of captains since the 1980s. From the ‘Captain Cranky; tag given to Allan Border to the pressure tactics of Steve Waugh, through to the stand-up comedy worthy banter of Tim Paine, we’ve seen diverse techniques and personalities. And that’s before we examine the leadership styles of visiting captains.
The quiet encouragement given by Jimmy Adams to his West Indian team, the stoic presence of England’s Michael Atherton, the lead by example from New Zealander Kane Williamson and the captaincy of Graeme Smith as a 22 year old, in charge of South Africa, referred to as ‘the bully’ by his peers.
So how have Australia’s Test team captains made the job their own? Allan Border will largely be remembered for his tough and gritty batting, frequently at the crease for rescue missions in the early stages of his captaincy. His chastising of Craig McDermott revealed Border was unafraid in walking up to problems.
McDermott was an important strike bowler but was put in his place by Border more than any batsman was able to. Border called across the field “You do that again mate, and you’ll be on the next plane home.” Followed by ‘You test me mate and we’ll see.’
Border was followed by Mark Taylor, an insightful and thoughtful captain who believed communication, especially listening, was critical to the job. Taylor was especially challenged by a loss of form through 1996-97 but carried on as leader with a belief that cricket was not a life and death matter.
Captain Steve Waugh presented an image that became deeply familiar to cricket watchers. His disintegrating baggy green cap seemed to illustrate his toughness. Waugh famously said sledging was ‘mental disintegration’ and it was a technique he used, virtually plotting a course for his opposition that led from defeat to self-doubt to eventual capitulation.
Australian captain Steve Waugh looks over the moon to have retained the Ashes. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Waugh didn’t captain a side to merely lead, his goal was to intimidate.
Ricky Ponting inherited the captaincy role from Steve Waugh. Whilst he took on a team that had performed brilliantly, the inevitable retirements began and the team became challenged to maintain form. Ponting began to be criticised for fielding placements, morale of the side and his own batting performance.
Despite that, Justin Langer commented ‘He is quite inspirational as a leader and I just never get all the detractors he has. Whether it’s in the fielding practice, the nets, the way he holds himself off the field, every time he speaks, these young guys just listen, they hang on every word he says.’
After Ponting’s departure Michael Clarke took the helm. Clarke could be innovative, for example perfecting a tactic of bringing on spinner Nathan Lyon with a relatively new ball, exploiting Lyon’s enjoyment of bowling with a harder ball. Speaking on 60 Minutes, Clarke conceded he wasn’t an effective vice-captain to Ricky Ponting and said he’d had no aspirations for the top job.
Clarke’s career as cricket captain was dogged by media obsession with his relationship to Laura Bingle, including stories he’d thrown her engagement ring down a toilet. There were rumours he chose to eat dinners away from the team. Spats with Shane Watson and Simon Katich all over shadowed his leadership credibility.
Despite that, the true measure of Michael Clarke may well be the vulnerability and compassion he revealed following the death of Phillip Hughes.
Michael Clarke of Australia (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The story of Steve Smith’s captaincy may be an unfinished one, depending on whether he one day returns to the job. Smith was considered innovative in the leadership role, drawing inspiration from his batting.
Whatever will be said about Steve Smith as captain, his involvement and resulting suspension following Cameron Bancroft’s use of sandpaper in South Africa will always be written in the margins.
Which brings us to current captain Tim Paine. Paine’s approach to the cricket captaincy meshes nicely with coach Justin Langer’s values and style. Paine brings approachability, warmth, humour and a considered outlook to the game.
Initially considered as possibly a caretaker only, Paine has grown into the job with presence and authority. As a wicketkeeper Paine must concentrate on every ball, a relentless demand when the opposition bats.
Yet, as captain, he has to cast a wider view over the game, setting and reviewing strategies with his coach, directing the field and rotating bowlers. Paine carries all this out with a blend of toughness and calm.
When we consider leadership we think of managing directors, activists, scientists, some politicians and visionaries. Like those people our cricket captains experience periods of triumph and failure, at times inspiring or disappointing us.
Whenever an Ashes urn or a cup is held aloft, you can be sure the captain has worked, agonised, celebrated and above all led in their own individual style on their way to that moment.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Any of the Top 6 can play a captain’s innings. If you recall l said a captain’s worth is truly revealed when marshalling the bowling and setting a field. —– I understand the captain has manifold roles but l aver that 50% of their importance is in the field. The other 50% is made up of the rest. The batting response, their own batting, their deportment, their PR / TV Interviews, etc.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
A bit hard for a bowler or keeper to play a captain's innings also.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Yes, l hold a not entirely popular opinion, on this site, because l reckon only batspeople have the time to dedicate to the insistent and incessant captaincy demands whilst fielding. I know there is bowlers, all-rounders and keepers who've done it but it's a compromise.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks for explaining Rowdy. I'll be watching Paine from the perspective of what you say this summer. I've always thought it has to be difficult to wicket keep and captain, concentrating on every ball but then still needing to be mindful of the overall direction of the game and tactics needed. Appreciate that you elaborated on your previous post.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Coaches have 45 seats opined a great mind of the game. If a coach is more than a ‘sounding-board’ to strategies and tactics then the captain does not have the respect due him / her of the players. —- And, TBC, I’m not referring to Paine’s difficulties with DRS or the blade. He does evens when batting. He appears to allow the bowling to happen rather than marshall it with clear intention. His field setting skills appear dormant at best. I believe captain’s take wickets without wheeling an arm. I can’t recall going “Yes!!!!” to a wicket he has engineered. —– He has been suffered terrible luck re injuries and would be spoken of as the equal of our past greats had it not been so.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks Rowdy. I was speculating whether it was the coach that pretty much determined that strategy, with the captain's job to implement it on the field. Were you giving Tim a fail because he didn't respond to what was going on during the match with the right tactic? Would an example be on what to do to break up a significant batting partnership?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Paine is a great bloke, a great OR presence and seemingly good man manager. ----- I'm just waiting for him to become a strategist who knows when to employ the the right tactics succinctly. It is the most important area of captaincy and he gets a fail in my not so humble estimation
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks Andre, it will be interesting to watch Tim's career further develop over the coming seasons. Especially against England next year.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
I don't want to go too off topic here but I will say that 'attacking the established order' is necessary and important. I don't mean in a violent way but in a manner that challenges and demands accountability of government, institutions acting in self interest and those conducting activities harmful to for example people or the environment. I see scientists and activists leading such as Tim Flannery, Bob Brown plus a range of activists/ advocates for refugees, amnesty, freedom and opposing corruption. Given this is a cricket page I don't wish to draw this part of the discussion any further out.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
I'm really enjoying watching Paine grow into this role and I hope he holds onto it for a few years yet. After all, it gives all of us an important lesson: you never know when you are going to be confronted with a challenge that could act as a lifeline for your career. So, take every opportunity you can!
WhiskeyBravo
Roar Rookie
Fascinating in the second last para how you see 'activists and scientists' as leaders. Activists are scoundrels - up their with construction unions and the molotov cocktail mob. They are committed to attacking the established order and are typically a rabble led by the greatest rogue (though I will concede Peter Garrett in his former life as front man and climate warrior had a power and passion that bordered on demagoguery). To my mind, scientists aren't leaders unless they have a special cause related to their field. Most are happier behind the microscope than under it. Sportsman are some of our finest leaders. Just don't expect them to be flawless role models.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Your last paragraph sums it up nicely Paul. I wonder if this is the best we've ever had it with the coach and captain being in step. No doubt the coach creates a particular type of culture. It looked to me Lehman created a blokey, loud and in your face kind of culture. Whereas Langer prefers a disciplined, considered, positive yet competitive culture. An outsider's view mind you. I was watching the test from Old Trafford last night and commentators made some positive references to West Indies coach Paul Simmons who appears to be building a worthwhile culture there.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Huh? So they were justified in abusing a 21 year old on debut who they’d probably never met because at some point in the future the 21 year old might say something to them? That’s some interesting logic, I suppose you can justify anything if you try hard enough. Where do you think Ponting, Clarke and Smith learnt it from? The fact is that the ‘tactic’ of targeting individuals with constant abuse (mental disintegration) started under Waugh and was passed along from captain to captain, culminating in what happened in Cape Town. People can argue the toss all they want about whether it was better or worse under particular captains however for Waugh to act as if it was nothing to do with him is simply laughable, it was his idea in the first place.
Paul
Roar Guru
Excellent points, Peter though I'm interested in the "eye to eye" aspect. There was clearly a huge problem when Boof was coach and Michael Clarke and Steve Smith were captains, with player behaviour. I'm assuming he saw eye to eye with these captains about what was and was not acceptable behaviour, yet we both know there were some dead ordinary incidents involving not only their players, but both captains themselves. Thankfully some sanity has prevailed with Paine & Langer, but I wonder how healthy that sort of relationship can be? Perhaps the coach is too close sometimes and can't see what a serious issue is developing. Mind you, none of us want the Micky Arthur "do your homework or else" approach either. I guess CA chooses it's captains and hopes they've got the right person to espouse the values they want to project and also have a coach willing to nurture & support the captain while they do that.
Paul
Roar Guru
There was plenty flying in all directions. Smith was no saint when it came to giving guys a serve nor were more than a few others in his side. That to me was nothing compared to what was going on under Michael Clarke & Steve Smith.
Peter Farrar
Guest
Thanks Paul, and yes, good questions. I've looked upon the captain as something of a conduit for the coach. The coach sets the direction with the captain implementing the on field aspects of that. Pre Bobby Simpson I feel captains were more accountable for overall strategy and decisions but that seems to be wound back in the years since with the coach having a bigger slice of the responsibility. Once it would have been up to the captain to address a performance issue but now that seems to lie more with the coach, or even the coaching support staff (such as the fast bowling coach or fielding coach). I believe that Paine and Langer see pretty much. eye to eye and as a result to the team it must seem they are speaking with the same voice. When it works in that manner I think it all seems to function smoothly.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Really? You might want to read what Graham Smith had to say about his debut against the Australian Teat team. Amongst a range of abuse having Hayden get in his face as he arrived at the crease, being called a ‘drop punt’ all day long by the entire team including Warne at first slip and then McGrath abusing him from the boundary line. The kind of mindless abuse that just goes on all day for absolutely no reason. Steve Waugh was the captain of that team, and for the next 3 years.
Paul
Roar Guru
No, the Steve Waugh years were very different from the era you described which was 14 years and a few captains later. What those guys did bore no resemblance to the tactic Waugh used
Paul
Roar Guru
You've certainly highlighted the individual styles of each captain nicely Peter. I wonder though about the role of the coach in all this? Border in one sense started a trend that's continued ever since. Bobby Simpson was a driving force in the resurgence of Australian cricket when he came on the scene in 1986 and perhaps with the exception of John Buchanan, successive coaches have seemed to have wanted a big say in what happens in the team. Paine is no different in that regard, with Langer obviously a huge part of what happens on & off the field. I'm interested in whether you think that's a good or a bad thing? I know for example, Mark Taylor wanted more autonomy and felt Simpson had overstepped his role as coach, but nowadays these guys are selectors as well as coaches, so clearly they have lots of involvement - maybe too much?
Marty
Roar Rookie
‘Mental disintegration’? You mean acting like a bunch of knobs to the point where you are the most despised team in the world for years and laying the foundation for what we saw in Cape Town? They had the players to win without doing what they did but chose to indulge themselves like a bunch of schoolyard bullies. They then tried to justify their behaviour by calling it a ‘strategy’ and tut tut Smith, Warner and co as if it had nothing to do with them. Pathetic.