5 Most successful captains in Test history
These five players uplifted the standard of their teams in the Test format with their extraordinary leadership skills.
2. Ricky Ponting- 62.33 win%
After Steve Waugh's retirement in January 2004, Australia's Test captaincy was handed to Ricky Ponting. Noting Ponting's success as Australia's One-Day International (ODI) skipper, he was expected to take the team to new heights in the Test format as well. In April 2006, Ponting showcased his mettle as a Test skipper, powering Australia to clean sweep South Africa in its own backyard in a three-match Test series.
Chalking up 348 runs in six innings, he ended up as the leading run-scorer in his team's massive success. In the 2006-07 home season, he looked fierce as both captain and batter to help his team hammer England by 5-0 in The Ashes. Racking up 576 runs in eight innings of fives Tests of the distinguished tournament, he ended up as the leading run-scorer and became the recipient of the Player of the Series award.
In January 2011, Australia lost the Ashes 2010-11 to England at home by 1-3 and with this humiliating defeat, Ponting faced a lot of criticism. Following Australia's elimination from the 2011 World Cup, the Aussie legend relinquished captaincy in March 2011 and decided to continue his role in the team as a batting stalwart. Heading Australia's Test squad for seven years, he bagged 44 wins in 77 Tests with a phenomenal victory percentage of 62.33.
Download Our App