Captaincy and Leadership

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney

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Sean Pope was the best captain in my cricket career.

His open and transparent approach to captaincy made you feel at ease within the team environment and he was a great man manager and treated us all equally and that is all you can ask from a captain.

His was a very aggressive player and captain and set fields that captains wouldn’t dare set in a game situation. Fields like 3 or 4 short covers, just very different that wouldn’t only confuse the batsman, but sometimes even his own teammates
Sean had a great ability to bring players together in social settings and this helps win on the field in tough situations, we never felt beaten in a game and this was born about by the closeness of our team.

I remember Peter Burkhart come up to me at the races one day (we were washed out) and said “you guys will win the comp this year, I have never seen a team as close as mates as you are” Peter was a good judge, as we won the grand final pretty easily over North Sydney six months later.

Sean led from the front, he was a funky captain, but one I wouldn’t swap and I played with some very handy other captains along the way.

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11 months ago

Trent Ryan

Real Estate Agent

Brisbane, Australia

51 Likes
26 Followers

Peter Charles affectionately known as "Sting" was the best Captain I played under, or more correctly with. Sting never set himself as being above any team member in ability or importance. In the Queensland Cricket Premier Competition, back in the day, there were 9 District Clubs and to avoid a Bye in First Grade Qld Cricket would field a "Colts XI". QC would appointment a Captain/Coach and the 9 clubs would each nominate 2 players under the age of 21 as the squad for selection. The side would train together, and our home ground was The Gabba.

You could not play for more than 2 seasons for Colts, and it was originally used to give exposure to fringe first grade players that may not play at the home club

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/64/trent-ryan/blog/1829/trent-ryan-my-best-captain

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11 months ago

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91 Followers

Due to an injury to Western Suburbs regular 5th Grade captain Mark Lewis, Club Coaches Chadd Porter and Shaun Vose entrusted the captaincy responsibilities to 17-year-old Jack Clark.

We thought we’d check in with Jack to see how he enjoyed the captaincy experience.

What was your reaction when you were informed, you’d be captain of the 5th grade team?

Initially a little bit of shock, but also really excited as I knew it was going to be a good opportunity for me as a cricketer. I was also very thankful and honoured people in the club put their faith in me to do the job.

What did you enjoy about being captain?

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/161/western-suburbs-district-cricket-club-sydney/blog/1819/jack-clark-makes-it-a-winning-debut-as-captain-in-nsw-premier-cricket-5th-grade-at-just-17-years-of-age

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12 months ago

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

488 Likes
512 Followers

Recently I watched a young left arm medium pace bowler bowl to a right-hand batter with 7 fielders on the offside and only 2 on the leg side and it immediately reinforced how important the relationship between a bowler and captain is.
The young left arm bowler had taken the new ball and had the nice natural action to swing the ball into right hand batters.
The field set was 3 slips, a gully, a point, a cover and mid off and on the leg side was a mid-wicket and fine leg.
Left arm swing bowlers are so valuable as they ask so many questions of the batters. Is the ball going to swing into my pads or will it hold its line and straighten towards the slips.
If the bowler gets it right, they have LBW and bowled in play as well as a catch to the wicket keeper, slips, gully, or point.
However, the captain needs to give the bowler the confidence of being able to attack the stumps. If they stray just a fraction with only one fielder at mid-wicket in front of square on the leg side, it makes it easier for the batters to score runs.
It may mean the bowler starts concentrating bowling a 5th or 6th stump line which might negate the opportunity to swing the ball. Its not what any team wants for the new ball bowlers.
Personally, I’d have liked to see the captain remove the fielder at cover and put them at mid on and have a straighter mid-wicket and a fine leg.
It makes it a 6 – 3 field and will give the bowler more confidence of being able to pitch the ball up and swing the ball as they have the added protection of a mid-on and mid-wicket to minimise scoring opportunities and keep the pressure on the batter.
As there is now a gap in the field at cover it might encourage the batter to start playing cover drives which is exactly what the left arm bowlers wants because if the batter doesn’t execute the cover drive correctly, a catch behind the wicket may not be too far away.
Also with mid-wicket relatively straight the batter may look to score through square leg which may mean they start playing across the line to balls pitching on off or middle stump and the LBW and bowled is back in play.
It’s very important for the captain to get their field right in supporting their bowlers but it’s also important the captain creates an environment where bowlers have the confidence to speak up about how they’re looking to dismiss the batter and the field settings they’d like.
Communication is the key.

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12 months ago

Shaun Graf

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I was fortunate for most of my captaincy years at St Kilda I had top quality spinners, a young Shane Warne, Mark Osborne, former St George, and Vic player (right arm off spin), Peter Cox, former Vic (left arm orthodox), and John Emburey, former England, Middlesex right arm off spinner.… so not a bad lot!
Spinners were so much more fun to captain as you and they, always enjoyed setting a trap for the bats, attacking fields and luring them into the net – Warne’s flipper, Emburey’s arm ball, Cox’s doosra and Ossie’s fast, over spinning straight ball … the opportunities to set batters up was fascinating to watch, using the field to create false shots, building pressure then using these type of deliveries sparingly so as to get maximum impact when delivered!
In a Grand Final against Collingwood, both Warne and Osborne had bowled many overs, beat the bat, false shots etc however they couldn’t get out the last couple of batsmen, one being on over a hundred, a left-hand bat that had played for Vic. The state of the match was that in the last session (2 hours) of the final we needed two wickets, however they were playing for a draw as they were the top team at the end of the home and away season. So we really had to try and prise them out.
We were into the last hour needing a wicket desperately so instead of rotating my spinners or bringing on a quick I went to a part time left arm googly bowler, an experienced player, opening bat David Robinson (Vic/Tas) who bowled the occasional leggie.
In actual fact he got 3 wickets in a previous flag, which we won years earlier, so not the worse but like all left arm leggies they can bowl some crap but their most consistent and best ball is usually a wrong’un!
We spoke at the top of his mark, because he could bowl the wrong’un more comfortably we decided that to the in-batter, the left hander, he’d bowl all wrong’uns coming back into him then the 5th ball bowl the traditional leg break across the leftie, couldn’t have gone to plan better, he played all the wrong’uns well but by the 5th ball he was confident, did not look as closely and did not read the leg break which he played forward expecting it to come into him…wrong, outside edge, nicked to me at 1st slip and the rest is history …. Champagne and a a flag and a place in St Kilda’s rich history

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12 months ago

Michael Blatherwick

Managing Director

Hucknall, United Kingdom

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0 Followers

In business the worse place to come in a deal (or tournament in the case of this analogy) is second. All the effort, hope and cost to be told you’ve just missed out, is soul destroying!

That’s why it’s best to qualify out or in with factors you know differentiate you from the competition.

In this regard, well done the England team for making an early call and qualifying out. 😉

Seriously, India will be hurting this morning, and it will take a while. However, they lost to an incredible Aussie team with strength in all departments and a brilliant game plan.

They set the tone with exceptional fielding and commitment to the plans even when India got off to a flyer.

That final partnership was fascinating to watch, especially the contrast in styles between Labuschane and Head. Some great lessons for young players on how to bat as a partnership and manage chasing down a score.

I reckon if these two teams played each other 10 times, it would be 5 each. It just happened to be Australia’s day. That’s cricket and business. Sometimes you just need a few things to go your way and stick to your plans to get the trophy. 🏆

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last year

Andrew Walton

Cricket Coach

Clifton Hill, Australia

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5 Followers

What's the batting order captain?

Add a little creativity and let it flow.

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last year

Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia

488 Likes
512 Followers

I remember a pre-season training session at Western Suburbs when I first came to Sydney and Australian cricketing great and club legend Alan Davidson spoke to the playing group about the benefits of hard work and training with purpose.

Mr. Davidson strongly emphasized the 6 Ps in cricket. Perfect Practice Prevent Piss Poor Performance.

All these years later I now know the 6Ps don’t just relate to cricket.

It’s human to want to know your role and not just in a cricket team. It’s in business, the workplace, and our personal lives. We all like to know where we fit in and the role we play.

The role of a captain in cricket is not just about what happens on the field or game day. It’s also important to know your players, what makes them tick and how you can help them feel better and more confident about the role you want them to play in the team.

A player who knows their role will tend to perform better than a player who is unsure and second-guessing their position.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1735/when-should-a-cricket-captain-share-the-batting-order-with-their-players-and-the-team

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last year

Rodney Tucker

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0 Followers

If I look back on my captaincy journey I would say that I am proud of what I achieved but also make some changes with hindsight and experience on my side.
I was made vice-captain of Tasmania in the 92/93 season until 95/96. David Boon was captain and he was away the majority of the time so I was captain for 80-90% of the games. I had Greg Shipperd as coach and a very young team that included Jamie Cox, Dene Hills, Ricky Ponting, Michael Divenuto, Chris Matthews, Danny Buckingham,Mark Atkinson. Over the next few years Colin Miller, Shaun Young and Mark Ridgway became permanent members of the side also. In those days Bellerive was a pretty flat wicket that was hard work for the bowlers. Greg Shipperd and I devised a plan that we would bowl first the majority of times and then try and chase down a total to win the game. This plan got us into the shield final against NSW in 93/94. So I would say my greatest captaincy achievement was to be the first Tasmanian captain in a shield final. Unfortunately, we were beaten soundly.
Looking back I think my captaincy was a little defensive and I let the coach influence my decisions too much at times. Having said that I was inexperienced and learning my trade. At the time we were being more successful than Tasmanian teams of the past so it's hard to argue against our tactics.
I have watched Ben Stokes with interest and at times with admiration. Being his own man and following his instincts. It just shows how much a captain's attitude can influence a team. Would he be the same captain without Brendon McCullum ? Would another coach give him as much freedom. Captains and coaches need to work closely together but it’s the captain that should have the final say.
Captaining a team can be a difficult job but also a rewarding one. I think at times I took myself too seriously and forgot about the fun side of the game. I have seen others do the same thing. The greatest example of this was Ross Taylor from NZ. A great player and a really good bloke. When he took on the captaincy it changed him completely. Luckily I think for him he was not in the job very long and went back to being a very good player for a long time for NZ.
So for me, the most important thing I learned was to be your own man and follow your instincts as much as possible. Remember when making important behaviour and cultural decisions ask yourself “What does the game expect? It helped me a lot when playing and also now when umpiring.
Good Luck to all.

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last year

Joe Maiorana

Sydney, Australia

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2 Followers

From an interview published in 1992

Interviewer: How would you define the role of captain? Having been such a successful captain you should have a better insight into the job. Would you like to explain?

Ian Chappell: To me, captaincy is two parts. There is captaincy which is on the field, the pinning up of the batting order, the handling of the bowling and the changing of the field, and there is leadership. That is time spent with players off the field. I am not talking about the time spent on cocktails. I am talking of time spent with the players. If the players have a problem, I have to listen to the problem and act upon it. If they have a fight against the board, I had to fight that fight.
Captaincy is not an 11 to 6 job. It is hell of a lot more than that. I think there are a lot of good captains around. Also, I think there are bloody awful leaders around. They cannot lead a backside. I think the amount of time spent with players off the field is what reaps the reward. That to me is the art of leadership, to get the best out of men.

Dennis Lillee: That’s right. The things he is talking about are what made him one of the most successful captains. In fact, the best I have played under. Illy [Ray Illingworth] was one I admired a lot too. You can only judge the captains you have played under and those you have played against. To my mind, Ian and Illy were two great ones.

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last year

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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512 Followers

One of the key ingredients in the art of captaincy is to ask questions and challenge the opposing captain and team into doing things they otherwise wouldn’t normally do.

The Ashes series between Australia and England is two days into the 4th test, and I’ve been fascinated by how Ben Stokes, as England captain, has got into the minds of Australia.

Forget Bazball, it’s Ben Stokes.

Australia is playing unrecognisable Australian cricket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1304/ben-stokes-has-australia-playing-unrecognisable-australian-cricket

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last year

Matthew Treloar

Student

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0 Followers

I play in the 2nd XI at school and last season we had a poor season and now struggling to get several of the players motivated for next season.
We had 19 players with so many players pulling out of games and we dropped something like 40 catches.
What advice can you offer to help as many of us will be moving up into the firsts and still very passionate for the team and the school to be better.

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last year

Mark Van Epen

Gosford, NSW, Australia

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0 Followers

I remember reading a detailed piece on captaincy by a long term first grade captain at Sydney University back in the 1980s (can’t remember his name). His advice was never to over attack tailenders because they get themselves out. I put this into practice and it worked for me in 2nd grade level. Therefore, Greg Rowell’s bowling strategy to a semi attacking field. Not sure if this would work at the modern test level but Greg’s comments make me think yes.

https://www.cricconnect.com/question/574/stuart-broad-had-a-couple-of-his-magic-spells-during-the-first-test-but-did-he-get-his-tactics-wrong-with-the-new-ball-in-the-second-innings-in-hindsight-was-he-trying-too-hard-to-york-the-lower

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last year

Stuart MacGill

Cricket Coach

Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

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6 Followers

When I moved from Perth to Sydney in 1995 finding the right club was very important to me. I was already 25 years old and felt like I was running out of time. I needed a heavy workload and plenty of wickets if I had any hope of playing for NSW. To do that I needed as much help as possible to learn the different conditions and Blues playing style. I wanted to fast track my route to regular first-class cricket.

Peter Philpott was helping me out and when I told him what I was looking for he said that there was really only one man for the job – Steve Rixon. Unsurprisingly Stumpa signed me up for Sutherland, but it was a great move. I bowled heaps of overs, and we won the premiership against one of the greatest Bankstown teams to take the field, thanks to our new ball pairing of McGrath and Clark.

When I made my debut for NSW at the beginning of the 1996-97 season, Stumpa was already on his next big adventure, coaching NZ. I have no idea where in the world or what the time difference was, but I received a call from him in the SCG changing rooms before we walked on the field. Time is no obstacle when something or someone is important to him… like when he would hideout in a hotel lobby waiting for me to come in late during a Shield match.

“Just make sure you bowl well today Macgilla…”

NSW played a very aggressive form of cricket and spin bowlers were always encouraged to attack first, apologise later. Stumpa never let me forget that. The NSW Hall of Fame is filled with players with a similar philosophy, so he fits right in. One major difference to most however is the way that he has shared our approach with the world during his career as a coach.

I was delighted to be present the night of his induction and was not surprised to hear the most positive and constructive words of the night come from him as he reflected on a rare off season for NSW cricket.

We share the same birthday (February 25) and the same love of the game. Personally, I am most grateful for the fact that Steve Rixon helped make my move from the green grass of the WACA to dustier decks of the SCG a successful one.

Thank you, mate.

Steve Rixon - inducted into Cricket NSW Hall of Fame -
https://www.cricconnect.com/question/384/on-the-5-april-2023-at-cricket-nsw-steve-waugh-medal-awards-night-steve-rixon-was-inducted-into-the-cricket-nsw-hall-of-fame-a-terrific-and-richly-deserved-accoladesteve-rixon-was-the-driver-of

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last year

Peter Langston

35 Likes
4 Followers

The MCC sets and maintains the laws of cricket: the governing rules by which the game is played on all levels. An addition to those laws was made in 2000, a preamble describing what is expected under the description of the spirit of cricket. Here it is, in its entirety.
“Cricket owes much of its appeal and enjoyment to the fact that it should be played not only according to the Laws, but also within the Spirit of Cricket. The major responsibility for ensuring fair play rests with the captains, but extends to all players, match officials and, especially in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents.
• Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires.
• Play hard and play fair.
• Accept the umpire’s decision.
• Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct and encourage others to do likewise.
• Show self-discipline, even when things go against you.
• Congratulate the opposition on their successes and enjoy those of your own team.
• Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result.
Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket.”
England’s coach (pictured), captain and supporters are bellowing foul over the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow. It was against the spirit of cricket they claim. Well, there it is above for you to read. Like me, you’ll struggle to find a transgression.
By contrast, they followed the laws in dismissing Bairstow and the spirit in accepting the Starc non-catch, congratulating their opponents - Stokes in particular - exercising self-discipline when outrageously provoked and respecting their opponent and umpires.
By contrast, England blatantly broke at least three of the spirit dot points.
Vision of Bairstow trying to stump Labuschange in the first innings in exactly the same manner, perhaps makes it clear that outrage is a loser’s refuge.
Of course, they have apparently exorcised the ghosts from the privileged in the Long Room and players staircases. Spirit of Cricket having flown.

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last year

Dan Abrahams

Medical Practitioner

London, United Kingdom

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0 Followers

‘Bazball’ is a performance approach devised by England coach Brendan McCullum that centres on England playing with assertive behaviours and with an emphasis on enjoyment.

Historically, I’ve written glowingly about ‘Bazball’…not because of the improvement it’s had on the England team, but because at its heart lies an accumulation of performance philosophies that sport psychologists have written about for years (a bit of professional nepotism for you there!)

So here’s my (respectful) grenade…

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1104/dan-abrahams/blog/1236/are-england-being-strategically-reckless-with-bazball

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last year

Nathan Hauritz

Cricket Coach

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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0 Followers

Grade cricket - The place for the cricket community to connect

You'll often see a 35-year-old bank manager who is sledging a 15-year-old and you think, 'That's just what you do in grade cricket"

But what about test cricketers that return to Grade cricket for the love of the game?

As wide-eyed juniors, the Grade Cricketer dreamed of playing cricket for Australia one day. That was before entering the dog-eat-dog world of Australian grade cricket, where their hopes and dreams were swiftly extinguished; their cricketing careers subsequently laid to rest.

Whatever reason some things don’t change once you have represented Australia and if you continue to play — you truly loved it for the right reason at the start.

Sledge away kids. The real winner is always and will be cricket.

Dreams can and do come true. Lessons I have learnt is to be always kind. No matter what.

Lessons along the way in detail

1- How you start always matters.
2- Always be prepared.
3- Water puts out fire.
4- Better together.
5- Ball by ball. Only focus on what is in front of you now.
6- The Australian team is a galvanising force
7- Captains are also human
8- Being predictable sometimes works.
9- Approach everyday as if it could be your last.
10- If your dream doesn't scare you it’s not what the higher powers want for you.

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last year