Top 6 captains with the best record in their first 10 Tests ft. Temba Bavuma

South African Test captain Temba Bavuma became the first Proteas skipper to win the World Test Championship (WTC) mace. South Africa beat Australia in the final of the 2025 WTC at Lord's to create history.

In the first innings, Australia were bowled out for 212 as Kagiso Rabada bagged five wickets. South Africa were skittled out 138 in reply. However, their bowlers once again stood up, bowling Australia out for 207 and were set a target of 282 runs in the fourth innings.

On the back of a sparkling century from Aiden Markram (136) and a crucial fifty from skipper Temba Bavuma (66), the Proteas got over the line on the fourth day with five wickets to spare, completing a historic win at Lord's to lift the WTC mace. It came as a massive moment for South Africa as a cricketing nation and also for Temba Bavuma the captain.

On that note, let us take a look at the top six captains with the best record in their first 10 Test matches as captain.

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#6 Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper and multiple World Cup winner Ricky Ponting is at the sixth spot on this list. The legendary Ponting led Australia in 77 Test matches during his time and managed to win 48 of them with a win percentage of 62.33 percent.

Ponting's tenure as Test captain of Australia began in 2004 and lasted till 2010. He had a solid start to his stint as Test captain of one of the most dangerous teams in world cricket. In first ten Tests as captain, Ponting managed to win eight matches with just one defeat and a draw.

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#5 Lindsay Hassett

Former Australian batter Lindsay Hassett features on the list of most successful captains in the first ten Tests. Hassett made his debut for Australia in 1938 and went on to became captain of the Test team in 1949.

From 1949 to 1953, Hassett led the Australian team in 24 Tests. He managed to win 14 out of those with four defeats and six draws. From his first 10 Tests as captain, Hassett also had eight wins, a loss, and a draw.

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#4 Johnny Douglas

Former English all-rounder and late Johnny Douglas also had an impressive start to his Test captaincy although it lasted for a short period eventually. Johnny Douglas made his Test debut in 1911and began as captain of the team in his very first appearance.

He played only 23 Tests for England in his career and led the Test team in 18 out of those 23 matches from 1911 to 1924. In these 18 games as Test captain, Douglas managed to win eight from his first ten Tests with a loss and a draw.

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#3 Warwick Armstrong

Former Australian all-rounder and late Warwick Armstrong made his Test debut for Australia way back in 1902. He played 50 Tests for the country in his career. When he captained the Test team for the first time, Warwick was among the oldest captains on captaincy debut at the age of 41.

He led the Test for a very short period from 1920 to 1921. Armstrong led in just ten Tests but had an unbeaten record. He won eight out of those ten Tests as captain and with two draws, did not lose a single game in his short stint.

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#2 Percy Chapman

Former England batter, captain, and late Percy Chapman is second on the list of captains with the best record in their first ten Tests at the helm. Chapman made his Test debut for England in 1924 and played 26 matches in his career.

As Test captain, he led the England team in 17 matches from 1926 to 1931 and managed to win nine of them with two defeats and six draws. In his first ten Tests as captain, Chapman won nine matches and lost just a solitary match.

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#1 Temba Bavuma

With their win in the 2025 WTC final, South African skipper Temba Bavuma joined this elite list. He is at the top with the best record as captain in his first ten Tests. Temba Bavuma made his Test debut for South Africa in 2014 and has played 64 matches so far.

However, he became Test captain only in 2023 and has led the Proteas in ten Tests so far. Temba Bavuma has had a phenomenal start to his captaincy stint in the format. Out of the ten games, South Africa have won nine under his captaincy and with one drawm game, are let to lose a Test with Temba Bavuma as captain.