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Batsman

12 (48%)

Bowler

4 (16%)

Keeper

9 (36%)

Total Members Voted: 25

[GoodLeave]

I've been thinking about Root's first series as captain and it got me wondering if being a certain discipline aided captaincy. As far back as I can remember, I can't remember an "out and out" Bowler being England Test Captain. So I thought about current test captains around the world. None of them bowlers.

Why aren't Bowlers captains!?

Then that got me to thinking, I wonder what the stats are on clubbie captains? Do I play for the only side in England that has a bowler as a captain? And is that why we're so terrible!?

I know lots of us play for teams who let everyone have a bat and bowl, so for this purpose, just choose what they are best at. Keepers are obviously keeping batsmen, but perhaps this gives another dimension/take on captaincy.

[UpandOver]

At my club the first team captain is an all rounder (more of a batsman though), 2s captain is an all rounder, 3s captain is a bowler (bats 11 so out and out bowler), 4s captain is the keeper and all of them are very good at it. The other captains I've played under have been an all rounder or a keeper.

So in my experience bowlers do make good captains but they often bat as well. I've always thought it's more about the individual than what their role in the team is but maybe that the type of person that makes a good captain is, coincidentally or not, of a particular role.

[smilley792]

Our skipper is an all-rounder.

But he is one of the best bowlers in league(won averages 2 seasons ago).

One of his big issues is not knowing when to take himself off. He always seems to want one over to many.

As vice captain, I have had take him off on a few occasions.  Leads to some arguments on field. But after game he usually agrees it was the right call.

[WalkingWicket37]

I used to hate being a bowler and captain.
I would deliberately under bowl myself so that I wasn't accused of being selfish (to the extent I batted 11 and didn't bowl myself in some games)

[InternalTraining]

One of his big issues is not knowing when to take himself off. He always seems to want one over to many.

As vice captain, I have had take him off on a few occasions.  Leads to some arguments on field. But after game he usually agrees it was the right call.

This is a known issue with bowler captains but other than that, their field tactics can be very good.

[Buzz]

The person who reads the game the best. What they do for the team is irrelevant.

[GoodLeave]

Our skipper is an all-rounder.

But he is one of the best bowlers in league(won averages 2 seasons ago).

One of his big issues is not knowing when to take himself off. He always seems to want one over to many.

As vice captain, I have had take him off on a few occasions.  Leads to some arguments on field. But after game he usually agrees it was the right call.

Perhaps this is why I feel batsmen make the more logical choice for captain. Because they can stand in the slips and make an independent choice on who's going to bowl, not having their judgement clouded by thoughts of "I can get this guy", when perhaps someone more suited might be required.

[InternalTraining]

A bowler, batsman, or a keeper can be a good captain if they have good game assessment skills, awareness of team's skill and weaknesses, and good grasp of game tactics.

[ppccopener]

Most of my club captains have been bowlers, certainly when I first started playing all the first 3 were bowlers.

Current team captain is a bowler. The only difference I have known over the years is the batting order...ours changes so often and we get not much notice going up or down as the innings is going on.

When I captained I avoided this specifically, maybe because for loads of years I opened ...so I had to know where I was batting before the game started...I knew other guys liked to have a spot as well. So I rarely changed it.i think it helps to have a number and get used to it. It wasn't rocket science....decent technique and patience up the order, no patience or capable of whacking it..in the middle,non batting bowlers at the end.

But I've got used to changing position now, some others would like a set spot as well.

I don't know if this is because he is a bowler....my perception is that it is

But generally I don't  think it makes much difference Keeper, bowler or batsman who makes a better captain

[Chalkie]

Both our 1st and 2nd team skippers are batsmen (apparently  ) but our Sunday skipper is a bowler.

I generally find that the 1st team skipper makes pretty decent decisions on who to bowl, and consults well with his vice (a bowler) and keeper about changes.

I stopped playing for the Sunday captain as he makes sure he (and his vice) get in at least 12 overs each before he gives anyone else a go.

[uknsaunders]

The person who reads the game the best. What they do for the team is irrelevant.

Go with this and add the guy who understands the game best. If you understand what makes good cricketers and what it takes to play good cricket then it helps. Maybe allrounders, with a foot in both camps understand bowlers and batsman better.

[potzy248]

The person who reads the game the best. What they do for the team is irrelevant.

Don't agree with this. They have to be pretty good so they lead from the front. Pretty hard to tell people what to do/inspire if you're rubbish.

[Tailendfielder]

I find really tough to captain while keeping but a breeze from mid off

[richthekeeper]

I find really tough to captain while keeping but a breeze from mid off

Exactly this. I can't keep, open the batting and skipper on the same day so something has to give.

[Neon Cricket]

Personally, I've never been a fan of bowlers who captain.

Current club is a prime example, it's been the same for years by the sounds it - a classic case of bowling 1/2 too many overs when having an off spell (should note that the lad is a very good player, easily bowls 75mph+).

I'd prefer the skip to be a bat, but in the grand scheme of things I don't think it really makes all that much difference.