The meek and the mighty - the captains

Sir Gary Sobers

Strengths: The greatest all round player the world has ever seen, he was happy to stand or fall by his belief that cricket, even at Test level, should be entertaining. He took risks, and was unfairly criticised for them, especially when his sporting declaration cost the West Indies the fourth Test at Port of Spain in 1968. Calculating his only chance of victory was to give England an accessible target, he asked them to make 215 in 65 minutes. Despite some initial hesitation by Cowdrey, England succeeded. The critics had a field day, but Gary never lost the support of his players.

Weaknesses: Took too much on when he was hailed as the messiah of Nottinghamshire. One of Ray Illingsworth's most profitable wagers involved betting he would never do the double in country cricket. Gary did not have the concentration and tended to become embroiled in horse racing, his other passion. He unwittingly ruined one match against Leicestershire by studying form, forgetting that he had to declare until it was too late.

Ajit Wadekar

Strengths: Like all Indian captains he placed his faith in the Oriental virtue of patience. A tenacious fighter and India has much to thank him for. A national hero when he made excellent use of his limited resources to defeat both the West Indies and England, but was literally too ashamed to go home immediately after the 3-0 defeat here in 1974, which signalled the end of his career.

Weaknesses: Not the type of personality of which legends are made. Containment, rather than aggression, was his style and it did not make for riverting cricket. When the opportunities were there for attack he found it difficult to shake off his tactical lethargy.

Rohan Kanhai

Strengths: Tactically an astute captain who made few mistakes because of his wealth of experience. A dedicated batsman who expected the same from his players.

Weaknesses: A loner who alienated his players, especially the younger ones, by criticising rather than encouraging. People became frightened of making mistakes under him, and his lack of popularity was reflected in some surprising results. For instance, a team with any sort of spirit would have allowed a patiently outclassed England to draw the 1974-75 series in the West Indies.

Bobby Simpson

Strengths: A typical product of the old school, he had the principles needed to keep Australia afloat in the aftermath of the Packer tidal wave. A keen disciplinarian, he demanded professionalism on and off the field.

Dedication was apparent from the start when he became the first Australian to play off-spin effectively. This was through diligent work on his technique, and he eagerly taught it to his team-mates.

Weaknesses: Some felt that at times he was out of touch with the untried generation of Aussie cricketers. It might be true to say one or two resented his insistence on a strict code of conduct.

Bill Lawry

Strengths: More willing to give up his wife than his wicket. A compulsive competitor prepared to fight for any lost cause. At times infuriatingly dull and dour in his tactics; - but if you became too rash he delighted in taking advantage.

Weaknesses: Made basic errors in his handling of bowlers, John Gleeson, for instance, was used as a stock bowler instead of being recognised as potentially his most valuable weapon.

Many England batsmen during the Ashes tour of 1970-71 were in dreadful trouble against him but escaped because Lawry did not have the imagination to post close fielders for the inevitable bat-pad chances. All-out attack was anathema to him.

Ian Chappell

Strengths: Brash, strong-headed, but always positive, Ian would have made a good county captain. He fought hard although tacklessly, for his players and in return received respect and unswerving loyalty. A good reader of a game, he never gave less than 100 percent.

Weaknesses: Very much the Jekyll and Hide character of world cricket. After he won the Ashes in Australia he seemed to overcompensate for the lack of hardness in the teams.

This led to the slow moving squad he was in charge of until 1975. Captaincy did not reduce his effectiveness as a batsman, although he had an initial weakness with the hook.

Richie Benaud

Strengths: A fitting man with whom to end this article. The nearest thing we are going to get the perfect cricket captain.

He matched boyish enthusiasm with ceaseless concentration, calculated attack and non-stop encouragement. He knew what made people tick almost demanding that his bowlers should take wickets.

The standard sermon was "c" mon chaps, you can do this fellow I'll give you couple of short legs'. After a while you would be so convinced of your talent you would be prepared to put your life savings on capturing wickets.

Richie is still the complete professional and has used the qualities he developed as a captain in television commentating.

Just has he treated young players with respect, so he helped the occasional breakfaster.

Weaknesses: None. If you do not believe that you have not met Benaud, in half an hour or so, he will convince you.

A.C. de S