Which captains played the greatest role in knitting a Test team to reach glory?

[Harsh Thakor]

Here I am listing in order of merit captains who have played the greatest role in knitting or weaving together champion or great test teams.They have succeeded in moulding a bunch of talented individuals into a genuinely world class side or team of world -beaters.Their dynamic leadership resembled that of a military marshall.Their inspiration could ressurect a side from the grave to rise like a phoenix from the Ashes.They could instill confidence in team mates like no one else could.I have excluded those who inherited champion teams as captains.


1.Ian Chappell

2.Clive Lloyd

3.Imran Khan/Alan Border

5.Frank Worrel

6.Graeme Smith

7.Mark Taylor

8.Mushtaq Muhammad

9.Misbbah Ul Haq

10.Ajit Wadekar

Ian Chappel was the most astute and ruthless of leaders who converted a talented nab of players into the equivalent of an army .In 1972 he not only infused talent but through guidance gave it a blessing instilling an energy no previous skipper could ever do.From 1974-1977 Australia became the nonofficial world test champions.Placed Clive Lloyd 2nd beacues though he organized arguably the best test team ever he was not as much a motivator or as skilled a tactician as Ian Chappell.Nevertheless his contribution was phenomenal in galvanizing resources and playing role of father figure.Imran shaped the destiny of Pakistan more than any cricketer did for his nation almost matching Ian Chappell in agression while Border was master in galvanizing an inexperienced unit.Worrell organized one of the most powerful Calypso test sides to win in England in 1963 and took spirit of West Indian cricket to it's ultimate zenith of glory in Australia in 1960-61 even if his side lost 2-1.Graeme Smith took South Africa to the top of the pedestal in test cricket being unbeaten overseas for a period of almost 9 years.Although Mark Taylor inherited the mantle of a strong team his leadership skill had an important role to play in his team acquiring the unofficial world test championship in West Indies in 1995.Placed Border ahead as it wa he who ressurected Australian cricket from the death to come close to the stature of West Indies and Pakistan from 1985-1994 with Australai's 1989 Ashes series win in England a major turning point.Mushtaq Muhammd led Pakistan to their 1st ever drawn ruber on Australian soil in 1976-77 and to go 2-1 down in the Carribean in 1977 which was a remarkable achievement.Misbah took over the reigns when the state of Pakistani cricket was in dire straits and he took it to moments of glory from the depths of despair.Wadekar literally took Indian cricket to it's period of rennaisance.

Excluded Viv Richards,Ricky Ponting as Steve Waugh as they virtually inherited great cricketing empires.Mike Brearley 's team was not tested against the best of opposition and England were relatively strong before his taking over the captaincy.

 

[UN talkz]

Misbah-ul-Haq

 

[Ab Fan]

Allan Border

Why is Ganguly not mentioned here? He is India's greatest test captain.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Out of all these captains Misbah had the weakest bowling attack and each and every imaginable odd against him.

Yet the man delivered.

A true champ. Heart of a lion. Misbah Ul Haq.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Allan Border

Why is Ganguly not mentioned here? He is India's greatest test captain.

What about Imran and Clive Lloyd?Ian Chappell?

 

[ManFan]

Lloyd for me.

He was a captain who was more of a father figure/elder statesman that helped turn a group of young players who came from different backgrounds to not only become the top team but remain so for 20 years.

 

[Buffet]

Between Lloyd and Border for me.

Took mediocre teams and converted them as world beaters which lasted for long time.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Between Lloyd and Border for me.

Took mediocre teams and converted them as world beaters which lasted for long time.

What about Ian Chappell?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Scratching my head...no Steve Waugh?

 

[ManFan]

Scratching my head...no Steve Waugh?

A team that had Ponting, McGrath, Warne, Martyn, Langer, Hayden, Lee, Gillespie does not require too much difficulty to handle or win with.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Here I am listing in order of merit captains who have played the greatest role in knitting or weaving together champion or great test teams.They have succeeded in moulding a bunch of talented individuals into a genuinely world class side or team of world -beaters.Their dynamic leadership resembled that of a military marshall.Their inspiration could ressurect a side from the grave to rise like a phoenix from the Ashes.They could instill confidence in team mates like no one else could.I have excluded those who inherited champion teams as captains.


1.Ian Chappell

2.Clive Lloyd

3.Imran Khan/Alan Border

5.Frank Worrel

6.Graeme Smith

7.Mark Taylor

8.Mushtaq Muhammad

9.Misbbah Ul Haq

10.Ajit Wadekar

Ian Chappel was the most astute and ruthless of leaders who converted a talented nab of players into the equivalent of an army .In 1972 he not only infused talent but through guidance gave it a blessing instilling an energy no previous skipper could ever do.From 1974-1977 Australia became the nonofficial world test champions.Placed Clive Lloyd 2nd beacues though he organized arguably the best test team ever he was not as much a motivator or as skilled a tactician as Ian Chappell.Nevertheless his contribution was phenomenal in galvanizing resources and playing role of father figure.Imran shaped the destiny of Pakistan more than any cricketer did for his nation almost matching Ian Chappell in agression while Border was master in galvanizing an inexperienced unit.Worrell organized one of the most powerful Calypso test sides to win in England in 1963 and took spirit of West Indian cricket to it's ultimate zenith of glory in Australia in 1960-61 even if his side lost 2-1.Graeme Smith took South Africa to the top of the pedestal in test cricket being unbeaten overseas for a period of almost 9 years.Although Mark Taylor inherited the mantle of a strong team his leadership skill had an important role to play in his team acquiring the unofficial world test championship in West Indies in 1995.Placed Border ahead as it wa he who ressurected Australian cricket from the death to come close to the stature of West Indies and Pakistan from 1985-1994 with Australai's 1989 Ashes series win in England a major turning point.Mushtaq Muhammd led Pakistan to their 1st ever drawn ruber on Australian soil in 1976-77 and to go 2-1 down in the Carribean in 1977 which was a remarkable achievement.Misbah took over the reigns when the state of Pakistani cricket was in dire straits and he took it to moments of glory from the depths of despair.Wadekar literally took Indian cricket to it's period of rennaisance.

Excluded Viv Richards,Ricky Ponting as Steve Waugh as they virtually inherited great cricketing empires.Mike Brearley 's team was not tested against the best of opposition and England were relatively strong before his taking over the captaincy.

Ganguly and Brearly should be there, would still take Lloyd though. Oh and Bro no offence, but please try to use paras, your threads are always great but a bit tough on the eyes imo. Cheers

 

[Adijazz1706]

What about Ian Chappell?

Not world beaters his Aussies, and didn't last too long either

 

[BunnyRabbit]

1. Clive Lloyd
2. Imran Khan
3. Graeme Smith
4. Allan Border
5. Saurav Ganguly
6. Misbah ul Haq
7. Steve Waugh
8. Andrew Strauss

These are the captains who literally created a legacy for the world to remember. Clive Lloyd is there cause he introduced perhaps the greatest pace bowling quartet of all time and showed the world what genuine pace can do.

Misbah is certainly there whether you like it or not It's not about how he played cowardly or he played on docile attacks of UAE. He inherited probably the most lifeless team of all time and won series after series. Before him, we had better individuals in the team yet we hadn't won a series in over 4 years. Yes after 2006 series win against WI at home, we won a series against NZ.

Waugh inherited a great bunch of players but it was under him that they really became unstoppable and arguably the greatest Test team of all time.

Imran Khan built a legacy when he inherited perennial underachievers and turned them into world beaters.

Graeme Smith along with Mickey Arthur laid the foundations of the third greatest Test team of all time. What really stood out was how young Smith was when he got the job and how he carried the team after match fixing controversy.

Sourav, more or less had the same team what Azharuddin had, but he injected life into India and taught them how to fight. He probably was the only one who was able to build a world beater team whose pillar was batting rather than bowling.

Andrew Strauss along with Andy Flower built probably the best English team of all time. His team was traditionally English, with orthodoxy and conservation style that became so consistent.

Allan Border couldnt built a long lasting empire but certainly created a team that would under Steve Waugh in future would become arguably the greatest of all time.

 

[Ab Fan]

What about Imran and Clive Lloyd?Ian Chappell?

Lloyd also.

As [MENTION=97523]Buffet[/MENTION] said, took mediocre team and converted them into world beaters and their legacy lasted much longer.

 

[msb314]

Here I am listing in order of merit captains who have played the greatest role in knitting or weaving together champion or great test teams.They have succeeded in moulding a bunch of talented individuals into a genuinely world class side or team of world -beaters.Their dynamic leadership resembled that of a military marshall.Their inspiration could ressurect a side from the grave to rise like a phoenix from the Ashes.They could instill confidence in team mates like no one else could.I have excluded those who inherited champion teams as captains.


1.Ian Chappell

2.Clive Lloyd

3.Imran Khan/Alan Border

5.Frank Worrel

6.Graeme Smith

7.Mark Taylor

8.Mushtaq Muhammad

9.Misbbah Ul Haq

10.Ajit Wadekar

Ian Chappel was the most astute and ruthless of leaders who converted a talented nab of players into the equivalent of an army .In 1972 he not only infused talent but through guidance gave it a blessing instilling an energy no previous skipper could ever do.From 1974-1977 Australia became the nonofficial world test champions.Placed Clive Lloyd 2nd beacues though he organized arguably the best test team ever he was not as much a motivator or as skilled a tactician as Ian Chappell.Nevertheless his contribution was phenomenal in galvanizing resources and playing role of father figure.Imran shaped the destiny of Pakistan more than any cricketer did for his nation almost matching Ian Chappell in agression while Border was master in galvanizing an inexperienced unit.Worrell organized one of the most powerful Calypso test sides to win in England in 1963 and took spirit of West Indian cricket to it's ultimate zenith of glory in Australia in 1960-61 even if his side lost 2-1.Graeme Smith took South Africa to the top of the pedestal in test cricket being unbeaten overseas for a period of almost 9 years.Although Mark Taylor inherited the mantle of a strong team his leadership skill had an important role to play in his team acquiring the unofficial world test championship in West Indies in 1995.Placed Border ahead as it wa he who ressurected Australian cricket from the death to come close to the stature of West Indies and Pakistan from 1985-1994 with Australai's 1989 Ashes series win in England a major turning point.Mushtaq Muhammd led Pakistan to their 1st ever drawn ruber on Australian soil in 1976-77 and to go 2-1 down in the Carribean in 1977 which was a remarkable achievement.Misbah took over the reigns when the state of Pakistani cricket was in dire straits and he took it to moments of glory from the depths of despair.Wadekar literally took Indian cricket to it's period of rennaisance.

Excluded Viv Richards,Ricky Ponting as Steve Waugh as they virtually inherited great cricketing empires.Mike Brearley 's team was not tested against the best of opposition and England were relatively strong before his taking over the captaincy.

Definitely Ganguly.

 

[giri26]

A team that had Ponting, McGrath, Warne, Martyn, Langer, Hayden, Lee, Gillespie does not require too much difficulty to handle or win with.

Yup but Mark Taylor did not have that luxury. When Alan Border handed over the team to Taylor, they had ageing Marsh, Boon, McDermott, Dean Jones et all in the Australian team. Ponting, McGrath were just coming up the ranks. Shane Warne was the only one who had made an impact. Obviously Taylor had Slater, Mark and Steve in his team along with Ian Healy. But when Steve Waugh took over, he had a brilliant team with ATG/Greats from 1-11.

 

[moghul]

Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah should not be there with all those great captains, please.

 

[Abdul]

The King.

 

[Bubby]

Here I am listing in order of merit captains who have played the greatest role in knitting or weaving together champion or great test teams.They have succeeded in moulding a bunch of talented individuals into a genuinely world class side or team of world -beaters.Their dynamic leadership resembled that of a military marshall.Their inspiration could ressurect a side from the grave to rise like a phoenix from the Ashes.They could instill confidence in team mates like no one else could.I have excluded those who inherited champion teams as captains.


1.Ian Chappell

2.Clive Lloyd

3.Imran Khan/Alan Border

5.Frank Worrel

6.Graeme Smith

7.Mark Taylor

8.Mushtaq Muhammad

9.Misbbah Ul Haq

10.Ajit Wadekar

Ian Chappel was the most astute and ruthless of leaders who converted a talented nab of players into the equivalent of an army .In 1972 he not only infused talent but through guidance gave it a blessing instilling an energy no previous skipper could ever do.From 1974-1977 Australia became the nonofficial world test champions.Placed Clive Lloyd 2nd beacues though he organized arguably the best test team ever he was not as much a motivator or as skilled a tactician as Ian Chappell.Nevertheless his contribution was phenomenal in galvanizing resources and playing role of father figure.Imran shaped the destiny of Pakistan more than any cricketer did for his nation almost matching Ian Chappell in agression while Border was master in galvanizing an inexperienced unit.Worrell organized one of the most powerful Calypso test sides to win in England in 1963 and took spirit of West Indian cricket to it's ultimate zenith of glory in Australia in 1960-61 even if his side lost 2-1.Graeme Smith took South Africa to the top of the pedestal in test cricket being unbeaten overseas for a period of almost 9 years.Although Mark Taylor inherited the mantle of a strong team his leadership skill had an important role to play in his team acquiring the unofficial world test championship in West Indies in 1995.Placed Border ahead as it wa he who ressurected Australian cricket from the death to come close to the stature of West Indies and Pakistan from 1985-1994 with Australai's 1989 Ashes series win in England a major turning point.Mushtaq Muhammd led Pakistan to their 1st ever drawn ruber on Australian soil in 1976-77 and to go 2-1 down in the Carribean in 1977 which was a remarkable achievement.Misbah took over the reigns when the state of Pakistani cricket was in dire straits and he took it to moments of glory from the depths of despair.Wadekar literally took Indian cricket to it's period of rennaisance.

Excluded Viv Richards,Ricky Ponting as Steve Waugh as they virtually inherited great cricketing empires.Mike Brearley 's team was not tested against the best of opposition and England were relatively strong before his taking over the captaincy.

The list becomes joke if it includes misbah while neglecting ganguly

 

[Hasan123]

Ganguly should be on the list.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Ganguly should be on the list.

I strongly considered him.However he did not take India to top of the pedestal .Border,Lloyd and Imran took their teams to the top of the tree.Indiia morally did not reach the height of Australia,West Indies ,Pakistan or even South Africa.

 

[Hasan123]

I strongly considered him.However he did not take India to top of the pedestal .Border,Lloyd and Imran took their teams to the top of the tree.Indiia morally did not reach the height of Australia,West Indies ,Pakistan or even South Africa.

Main reason why he couldn't take them to the top of the pedestal was because of how good Australia were.

 

[Sidilicious]

No. 1 for me will be Alan Border.

Two of the missing ones on this list are
1. Nasser Hussain - Responsible for the English resurgence
2. Dada - Responsible for the Indian resurgence.

 

[Bilal7]

1. Clive Lloyd
2. Imran Khan
3. Graeme Smith
4. Allan Border
5. Saurav Ganguly
6. Misbah ul Haq
7. Steve Waugh
8. Andrew Strauss

These are the captains who literally created a legacy for the world to remember. Clive Lloyd is there cause he introduced perhaps the greatest pace bowling quartet of all time and showed the world what genuine pace can do.

Misbah is certainly there whether you like it or not It's not about how he played cowardly or he played on docile attacks of UAE. He inherited probably the most lifeless team of all time and won series after series. Before him, we had better individuals in the team yet we hadn't won a series in over 4 years. Yes after 2006 series win against WI at home, we won a series against NZ.

Waugh inherited a great bunch of players but it was under him that they really became unstoppable and arguably the greatest Test team of all time.

Imran Khan built a legacy when he inherited perennial underachievers and turned them into world beaters.

Graeme Smith along with Mickey Arthur laid the foundations of the third greatest Test team of all time. What really stood out was how young Smith was when he got the job and how he carried the team after match fixing controversy.

Sourav, more or less had the same team what Azharuddin had, but he injected life into India and taught them how to fight. He probably was the only one who was able to build a world beater team whose pillar was batting rather than bowling.

Andrew Strauss along with Andy Flower built probably the best English team of all time. His team was traditionally English, with orthodoxy and conservation style that became so consistent.

Allan Border couldnt built a long lasting empire but certainly created a team that would under Steve Waugh in future would become arguably the greatest of all time.

These would be my eight as well. Only surprising inclusion is Strauss.

 

[barah_admi]

I'd agree with most of those names but probably have a different order.

For me there can be no other top man than Lloyd, who crafted a team that was formidable for 10+ years, brought together people who usually would have been fighting each other on which island was superior and led them to dominant wins just about everywhere.

Khan has to be second, he took an even more disparate group than Lloyd and turned them into world beaters, fending off the might of the Windies, thrashing India and England and even managing to be competitive against Aus, Pakistan's final frontier. He also brought in players who would become future stalwarts and atgs in their own right (Wasim, Waqar and Inzy).

After that, it gets a bit more tough to decide on the list, I'd probably have something like:

3. Allan Border
4. Graeme Smith
5. Douglas Jardine

Would probably be my top 5.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

These would be my eight as well. Only surprising inclusion is Strauss.

Yes, I know why Strauss isn't held in high regards when it comes to captains. But let's take a look at England's Tests condition before him, with him at helm and afterwards.
Vaughan was a good and shrewd captain, but he was never fit enough or consistent enough to make England into world beaters. He had immense highs but considerable lows as well. During the time of Vaughan's injury, Strauss took over for 1 or 2 series I believe, one of which was against Pakistan in 2006 where Pakistan were trounced in the 2nd and 3rd Test while we struggled and drew the first Test courtesy of Yousuf's brilliant double. 4th Test, well, it will be remembered for entirely different reasons.
Flintoff failed massively as a captain so did Trescothick, then came Paul Collingwood and KP, who were pretty abysmal as well. Afterwards Strauss took over along with Flower after KP and Moores sacking.
What followed was a new outlook and clearly defined roles for everyone in the team. Cook and Strauss were the openers. KP assumed his position at 4, Prior became one of the best wicketkeeper batsmen of the millenium. Harmison and Hoggard were dropped and Anderson and Broad were given the mantle of opening the bowling, the combination that is still in place.

Under Strauss, they famously beat Australia in an away Ashes after 20 something years. For the first time ever, they had a spinner who could do attacking and containing role with perfection as opposed to classical English thinking of spinner being a container and who can fetch some runs as well.
Anderson and Broad as we know have become one of their best ever.
He wasn't really aggressive or innovative, but he was definitely a leader and knew his job. After his retirement, Cook famously led England to their first ever series win in India(I think or one after 2 or more decades), that team had the base that Strauss had established.