Most Successful Captain Who Was A Bowler?
- Thread starter futureblackcap
- Start date
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
Courtney Walsh was the only one I could think of who was genuinely a bowler only, and had success.
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
Bob Willis captained England in 18 Tests for 7 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
I was surprised to find Bob Willis' record is actually better than Courtney Walsh's:
Walsh captained West Indies in 22 Tests for 6 wins, 7 losses, and 9 draws.
Willis captained England in 18 Tests for 7 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws.
Walsh captained West Indies in 22 Tests for 6 wins, 7 losses, and 9 draws.
Willis captained England in 18 Tests for 7 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws.
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
You don't read about cricket much then?
futureblackcap
Well-Known Member
I'd count Shaun Pollock as a bowler personally. A bowler who could bat a bit. Otherwise we might have to call Glen McGrath an all-rounder...
Kram81
Well-Known Member
Only got one book by Gideon Haigh on Warne for Christmas which I still haven't read yet..
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
Bob Willis was until recently the 2nd highest England wicket taker (325 wickets). James Anderson has since overtaken his mark (330 wickets), with only Botham ahead (383 wickets). Willis was also England captain, as above.
Kram81
Well-Known Member
Just read this entire thing in just one day when bored as stuck in bloody hospital, absolutely brilliant book.
Just saw this, the ginger ninja was definitely an all-rounder:
Tests - Bat 32.31 (3,781 runs 2 centuries) Bowl 23.11 (421 wickets, 16 x 5W, 1 x 10W)
ODIs - Bat 26.45 (3,519 runs 1 century) Bowl 24.5 (393 wickets, 12 x 4W, 5 x 5W)
That makes him more of an all-rounder than say Dan Vettori or Freddie Flintoff.
futureblackcap
Well-Known Member
You got me I guess...
I'm pretty sure Vettori's batting stats in Tests are much better than that though and Flintoff certainly has better batting stats (looking at them currently). Freddie scored five centuries in Tests and three in ODIs.
futureblackcap
Well-Known Member
Bluey Zarsoff
Active Member
There's a lot to be said for valuing your wicket.
futureblackcap
Well-Known Member
For sure...if we weren't including all-rounders.
He certainly was a great captain and player and my mum had a crush on him growing up haha.
Kram81
Well-Known Member
BlueBlood
Active Member
For sure...if we weren't including all-rounders.
