The Australian captaincy: Who's next?

Daniel Laidlaw

It is said to be the most high-profile leadership position after that of Prime Minister. The Australian cricket captaincy is a distinguished post not conferred lightly. When one captain retires or receives the tap on the shoulder, the selectors' next choice must be ratified by the board of directors, as there is more than just cricketing ability to be determined. There is national sporting image to consider, for an Australian cricket captain seems to represent Australian sport more than any other single sportsperson. The captain is also responsible for the sport's reputation and must serve as an international ambassador, all factors to consider in approving a candidate.

As Australia and most of the cricket world heads into season 2001/'02, it is time to examine a list of aspirants who might eventually succeed incumbent Steve Waugh. Although Waugh is not expected to retire until after the 2003 World Cup, grooming and identifying a successor is a long-term process likely to be based on the leadership potential shown by the contenders in the next couple of years. So as a new season looms, let's examine the shortlist of four players vying to succeed Waugh.

Adam Gilchrist
If the captain were being picked for Tests only, vice-captain Gilchrist would be selected with barely a second thought. Personable, possessing integrity and the team's premiere all-rounder, Gilchrist has an impeccable image but more importantly the experience and skill to be a worthy captain. The only problem is that the captain is not appointed for just Tests.

In an era of rotation policies where players are rested from one-day matches throughout the course of a season to preserve their mental and physical fitness, the captain is still expected to play every game. For Gilchrist to lead that perception will have to change or Australia will have to revisit its two-captains scenario, a divisive policy to be eschewed at all costs.

As wicketkeeper, opening batsman and captain in ODIs, Gilchrist would have an enormously taxing role that no cricketer, even the remarkable Gilchrist, seems capable of managing. If placed in that situation, there is the legitimate possibility that either his batting or keeping skills may diminish. Already an immensely valuable asset and arguably the team's MVP, it is a risk the selectors can't afford to take.

Ricky Ponting
The unpredictable career of Ricky Ponting took another upswing recently when he was appointed captain of his native Tasmania in a clear indication he wants to be, and is, still an Australian captaincy candidate. Ponting's chequered off-field history and temperamental law-pushing displays on it count against him more than anything else. There is no questioning his pedigree as a cricketer - according to reports, his grandmother bought him a t-shirt when he was young that read "inside this shirt is a future Test cricketer" - but if the selectors were honest with themselves, they would know that character is a concern.

The Tasmanian appointment is significant because even though Ponting will hardly get an opportunity to lead his state, it proves he is still being thought of as captaincy material. When Waugh has been absent through injury Ponting has been the one elevated to vice-captain behind Gilchrist and he is part of the team's leadership group. The fact that Ian Healy, upon his retirement, chose Ponting to inherit the ritual singing of "Under the Southern Cross" also should not be overlooked, because it means he must be held in high esteem within the team.

Ponting has claimed that when on the field he imagines what he would do if he were captain, so even though his actual captaincy experience is limited he still has experience that cannot be discounted. How he handles himself-over the next two years, in all respects, is crucial to his chances.

Shane Warne
Shane Warne was Waugh's main rival for the position when it was last available two-and-half-years ago and he has long seemed likely to lead only for yet another misdemeanour to hurt his aspirations. Warne has made no secret of his ambition to captain but he no longer appears a viable candidate, despite what the selectors may tell him. By 2003 Warne will be 33 and given that he is not likely to return for another Ashes tour in 2005, appointing him captain would not be a progressive move.

It is one of those mysteries that superstars rarely make the best leaders. Perhaps it is because they cannot force their teams to the kind of perfection they are capable of reaching in their own deeds, and it frustrates them when viewed as a personal failing. Whatever, Lara and Tendulkar were replaced after captaincy stints and Warne, because of his off-field scandals, is unlikely to get the opportunity to prove himself. The final straw that seems to have terminated his chances was the phone sex scandal in England a year ago. Upon returning home, Warne was stripped of the vice-captaincy for the one-day series against South Africa and Ponting appointed in his place.

Warne led the one-day team successfully in Waugh's absence for part of Australia's home tri-nations tournament in '98/'99 and has a high-profile supporter in Ian Chappel. At the time, the hostile way he reacted to team-mates' mistakes raised some eyebrows. Warne also led the team as stand-in skipper in Sri Lanka when Waugh was again injured in September '99.

When he did, Waugh was so quick to rush back to the job that he was prepared to risk serious injury, later saying he did not like the direction in which he saw the team heading. It was hardly a ringing endorsement of his deputy.

Damien Martyn
Simon Katich has long been touted but his Western Australian team-mate is actually the much more logical choice and is my personal pick for the job. For one thing, Martyn commands a place in the team, and is a level-headed and mature cricketer. He has served his time in the wilderness, far longer than many are able to return from, and has been one of Australia's most remarkable recent success stories. Yet strangely, he has not been considered a contender, despite the credentials.

It could be that Martyn does not aspire to such a pressure-filled job when he is doing so well as simply a member of the team. There is also some historical captaincy baggage. Awarded the Western Australian captaincy at a young age, the responsibility became too much for Martyn and he gave it up. The selectors would not want to compromise his talents by burdening him with a post he does not seek so it would be understandable if Martyn were overlooked, but as Australia's only other batsman apart from Ponting who is younger than 30 and holds a firm place in the side, he is at least worthy of consideration.

Whoever is eventually anointed, one thing is certain: he will be following in the footsteps of one of Australia's greatest ever.

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