Four captains left standing ...
Who would be a cricket captain? Invincible one moment, impotent in the next.
Captaincy in the data-heavy environment of T20 cricket, can still be an onerous job. Possibly, thankless. I say that advisedly, in a broader sense.
Nevertheless, four captains remain standing, all with equal claims on this acutely undecipherable World Cup.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand) is the most experienced, by matches captained (67). The highest winning percentage belongs to India’s, Rohit Sharma, with a 78% win percentage from 50 matches.
Babar Azam (Pakistan) combines experience and success equally with a win percentage of 66, from 64 matches. And, last, but by no means least, England's Jos Buttler, with 10 wins from 18 matches, none more significant than his team’s must-win contest against Sri Lanka in their final Super 12 game at the SCG.
So what does it all mean? And how influential can a captain be in this format?
Oh, and which captain will prevail?
The second question can be subjective, with much of the impartial opinion tabled by the team's analysts, who mine their burgeoning datasets for keys to unlock the doors of success. The average cricket fan has every right to be subjective and is likely to go to the heart of the matter. Win or lose, good captain, or not.
So what does it all mean? Captaincy sits with the individual, and as we know, everyone is unique in their ways — cricket captaincy included.
First, I want to look at Jos Buttler, the most inexperienced captain of the four. Which begs the question: Does captaincy inexperience undermine overall game experience?
Buttler has played 101 T20Is, 18 of them as captain. He has seen every inch of the T20I world, played against all the current players, and has a vast bank of knowledge to draw on. I would say no to captaincy inexperience being a hindrance.
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I spoke recently to Australian coach Andrew McDonald about Jos Buttler and his captaincy credentials. McDonald’s overarching view was somewhat skeptical. He believed Buttler presented as a reluctant leader, more of a comrade-in-arms than a general.
Buttler, in a recent interview with Mike Atherton (The Times) countered this argument.
Atherton, like McDonald, believed Buttler could easily forgo the added responsibility of captaincy.
Quoting Buttler from the interview: “I don’t crave it, but I am very much enjoying the challenge. I’m not the loudest guy in the room but I’m not shy of leading and if I feel I’ve got something to say I’ve never been shy of saying it, whether captain or not.”
England’s captain goes on to reveal his absolute want to win. His caring nature and natural willingness to be in the trenches working toward the common goal. Interestingly he says, “The on-the-field stuff is where I feel most comfortable. I feel I know the game and I can trust my instincts and the preparation I’ve done. I look at the numbers and the analysis to make sure I’m not going to be surprised.”
Buttler, and his team, have been teetering on the precipice since their loss to Ireland. And, even after their must-win victory over Sri Lanka, there were lingering doubts. The captain addressed this post-game.
Often the best time to air the dirty washing is after a win, not that there was too much dirty washing. Buttler sensed some disappointment in the room post-game — what to do — he said simply, "We know we can play better,” and that he was proud of the way they survived a difficult group stage.
It feels like he is comfortable in his space, and might escape the all-consuming expectancy of captaining your country. Atherton makes mention of family being around to help with the day-to-day chores of being a father. Jos Buttler seems OK.
On the other side of the coin-toss will be Rohit Sharma — a previous teammate of Buttler’s at the Mumbai Indians. In the same Atherton interview, Buttler describes Rohit as, “having sense of calm when everything around him is going on at a million miles an hour. A bit like when he bats, he makes it look pretty effortless.”
To me, Rohit is merely the conductor of one of the great orchestras — similar to the Berlin Philharmonic — India seems blessed with talent, poise, and metronomic attention to detail. Sure, he has to wave the stick around and bring in the correct instruments at the opportune times; he does this, though, knowing the players will deliver.
Of more concern is his form with the bat. Rohit is yet to make his mark on the tournament, looking sluggish in his movements and out-of-sync in his decision-making.
The England-India semi-final looks like it will be a cracker. England, and Buttler, will have a selection decision to make (who replaces Dawid Malan) — India might also have some pondering to do, with Rishabh Pant coming into focus to negate the influence of Adil Rashid.
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Today, though, sees MARCUS AURELIUS vs LAZARUS.
The Stoics vs “God Has Helped.”
That’s, New Zealand vs Pakistan, in the first semi-final at the SCG.
If Rohit Sharma conducts the best orchestra in the world, then I’m not sure where Babar Azam rates on that chart, maybe it’s the Portsmouth Sinfonia! Check them out when you get chance
Every ball has to be excruciating for Babar, continually riding the waves up and down, always trying to avoid the perfect storm. He has the players — well, the bowlers — it’s how they piece together on the day. I’m sure their room is calm internally; it just doesn’t appear that way from the outside.
Babar, like Rohit, is also short of runs and worse still, looks out of touch. There can be no doubting his class, as they say — class is permanent, and form is temporary — his team needs him to lift. The match-up with Trent Boult looks like a game-changer.
Finally to Kane Richardson, New Zealand’s captain.
Richardson’s team runs on auto-pilot, and it’s not his team, metaphorically speaking. New Zealand always gives a sense of autonomy that is not overplayed. They meander along with the game, attentive and ready to respond when needed. They appear to be in tune with each other and play with an even level of anticipation.
There is a feeling of the karma train here; they’ve been so close too many times. This might be their station. And, be sure, Richardson will be saying, “All aboard the karma train.”
For what it’s worth. I’m picking New Zealand and India to progress. So get ready for a 1992 reincarnation - an England and Pakistan final!
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