A tale of two captains
Cricket abounds with theories, some valid, several spurious. A common one in the latter category states that captains have little role to play in limited overs cricket.
Cricket abounds with theories, some valid, several spurious. A common one in the latter category states that captains have little role to play in limited overs cricket. This edition of the Champions Trophy has shown why such belief is balderdash.
It could be argued that since neither Ricky Ponting nor Daniel Vettori had a tangible role to play in the final, the importance of a captain has been exaggerated. But that is mistaking a one-off performance for leadership, which is what captaincy in cricket is all about.
Ponting had got only a single before an unplayable delivery from Kyle Mills hit his pads right in front of the stumps, while Vettori, sadly, did not even take the field. But who would deny that but for their presence and captaincy over the past couple of weeks, neither Australia nor New Zealand would have reached this far.
The cricketing ethos of Australia and New Zealand are a study in contrast, and how the captains of these two sides shaped the progress of their respective sides in this tournament (and I dare say, right through the past year) makes for one of the more fascinating stories in the contemporary cricket.
Vettori, who took over from the phlegmatic Stephen Fleming, has been able to infuse an ambition that was hitherto unimaginable in New Zealand cricketers. Richard Hadlee, the unrelenting wicket-taker of the 80s, remains an oddity. Hadlee was brilliant, but also a loner, and once he was gone, New Zealand cricket floundered.
For the better part of the last two decades, the Kiwis have been the “jolly good blokes” of international cricket. They have played well, especially at home, but have never been good enough to threaten any of the major teams. Despite the presence of some talent like Martin Crowe, Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori and (possibly) Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, their most acknowledged virtue has been sportsmanship on the field.
If that perception changes because of this Champions Trophy, Vettori’s role as player and captain deserves recognition and applause. This would not have been easy had he not personally risen to the challenge as a player.
Vettori was always a fine left-arm spinner; now he is widely regarded as the canniest slow bowler in the world. He was also a handy batsman; over the past year or two, he has been able to play big innings consistently enough to be acknowledged as the best all-rounder in the world.
In many ways, Vettori is Kiwi-like because he is hardly demonstrative on the field, has a laconic sense of humour and won’t kill to win. But he has a stronger will to succeed than any other New Zealand captain (including Hadlee) I can think of in the past three decades, and has been able to inspire his players to think likewise.
Ponting comes from a vastly different school of thought, and background. Aussies are taught it early, and play to win all their life. Indeed, they are so unused to losing, that many players cannot stomach such humiliation. Bill Lawry left mid-way through a series in the 70s after some setbacks, and Kim Hughes resigned in tears in the 80s after his team’s losing ways continued.
Ponting succeeded Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, two of Australia’s most successful captains, and looked set to better their records, till sundry obstacles suddenly cropped up. With two years, he lost Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist, Martyn and Langer, and a once invincible team started looking as fragile as roasted papadum.
Two successive Ashes defeats in England, a series each lost against India and South Africa; suddenly Australia were aura-less and vulnerable. There were calls for Ponting to resign after the recent Ashes defeat, but fortunately for Australia, he swallowed his pride and held on; with the avowed purpose of taking his side back to the top.
Ponting has almost achieved this, though the aura is perhaps still missing. What is admirable is how, despite the string of newcomers and setbacks, Ponting has cajoled his team to fight to retain the top spot in international cricket. His own batting remains the fulcrum around which this revival hinge.
Ponting’s form in the Champions Trophy, despite the failure in the final, suggests that he is perhaps back at the top of his game, which can’t be happy news for other cricketing sides. And Vettori’s influence, despite his absence in the final, suggests that New Zealand have got a new zeal to succeed. This opens up the power stakes in international cricket like never before in the past three years, and throws the gauntlet at the other captains to stand up and be counted.
It could be argued that since neither Ricky Ponting nor Daniel Vettori had a tangible role to play in the final, the importance of a captain has been exaggerated. But that is mistaking a one-off performance for leadership, which is what captaincy in cricket is all about.
Ponting had got only a single before an unplayable delivery from Kyle Mills hit his pads right in front of the stumps, while Vettori, sadly, did not even take the field. But who would deny that but for their presence and captaincy over the past couple of weeks, neither Australia nor New Zealand would have reached this far.
The cricketing ethos of Australia and New Zealand are a study in contrast, and how the captains of these two sides shaped the progress of their respective sides in this tournament (and I dare say, right through the past year) makes for one of the more fascinating stories in the contemporary cricket.
Vettori, who took over from the phlegmatic Stephen Fleming, has been able to infuse an ambition that was hitherto unimaginable in New Zealand cricketers. Richard Hadlee, the unrelenting wicket-taker of the 80s, remains an oddity. Hadlee was brilliant, but also a loner, and once he was gone, New Zealand cricket floundered.
For the better part of the last two decades, the Kiwis have been the “jolly good blokes” of international cricket. They have played well, especially at home, but have never been good enough to threaten any of the major teams. Despite the presence of some talent like Martin Crowe, Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori and (possibly) Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, their most acknowledged virtue has been sportsmanship on the field.
If that perception changes because of this Champions Trophy, Vettori’s role as player and captain deserves recognition and applause. This would not have been easy had he not personally risen to the challenge as a player.
Vettori was always a fine left-arm spinner; now he is widely regarded as the canniest slow bowler in the world. He was also a handy batsman; over the past year or two, he has been able to play big innings consistently enough to be acknowledged as the best all-rounder in the world.
In many ways, Vettori is Kiwi-like because he is hardly demonstrative on the field, has a laconic sense of humour and won’t kill to win. But he has a stronger will to succeed than any other New Zealand captain (including Hadlee) I can think of in the past three decades, and has been able to inspire his players to think likewise.
Ponting comes from a vastly different school of thought, and background. Aussies are taught it early, and play to win all their life. Indeed, they are so unused to losing, that many players cannot stomach such humiliation. Bill Lawry left mid-way through a series in the 70s after some setbacks, and Kim Hughes resigned in tears in the 80s after his team’s losing ways continued.
Ponting succeeded Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, two of Australia’s most successful captains, and looked set to better their records, till sundry obstacles suddenly cropped up. With two years, he lost Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist, Martyn and Langer, and a once invincible team started looking as fragile as roasted papadum.
Two successive Ashes defeats in England, a series each lost against India and South Africa; suddenly Australia were aura-less and vulnerable. There were calls for Ponting to resign after the recent Ashes defeat, but fortunately for Australia, he swallowed his pride and held on; with the avowed purpose of taking his side back to the top.
Ponting has almost achieved this, though the aura is perhaps still missing. What is admirable is how, despite the string of newcomers and setbacks, Ponting has cajoled his team to fight to retain the top spot in international cricket. His own batting remains the fulcrum around which this revival hinge.
Ponting’s form in the Champions Trophy, despite the failure in the final, suggests that he is perhaps back at the top of his game, which can’t be happy news for other cricketing sides. And Vettori’s influence, despite his absence in the final, suggests that New Zealand have got a new zeal to succeed. This opens up the power stakes in international cricket like never before in the past three years, and throws the gauntlet at the other captains to stand up and be counted.