5 Test batsmen who thrived in the role of captain

Being the captain of an international cricket team is by no means an easy job and can tend to take a toll on the individual performing the task. The history of cricket has many examples of cricketers who have suffered a dip in their personal form as a result of having the added responsibility of captaincy on their shoulders.However, there have also been some who have taken their individual game a few notches higher after their ascendancy to the skipper’s role. Among these, there are batsmen who have better records as captain opposed to what they had when they were not leading the team.Let’s take a look at 5 great Test batsmen who thrived as skipper of their respective teams.

#5 Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene did quite brilliantly with the bat as skipper

	MAT	RUNS	AVE	100s
As Captain	38	3665	59.11	14
As Player	111	8149	46.56	20

There is no doubt about the fact that Mahela Jayawardene is one of the best batsmen to have emerged from Sri Lanka. However, the legendary batsman performed even better when he had the captaincy shoes on.

When he played in the Sri Lankan team as just another member, Jayawardene averaged 46.56 in 111 matches. As captain of Sri Lanka, though, his average used to be an incredibly high 59.11 and he managed to score 14 tons in just 38 games.

Mahela Jayawardene may have retired from Tests a couple of years ago, but he has left an impression on the cricketing world which may be hard to erase.

#4 Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

McCullum’s batting has shown an upward trend since he assumed captaincy

	MAT	RUNS	AVE	100s
As Captain	31	2330	45.68	6
As Player	70	4098	35.63	6

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, who is playing his last Test presently, is another example of batsmen who thrived in the captaincy role. At best, McCullum could be termed as a decent batsman, taking into consideration his records as a non-captain.

An average of 35.63 in 70 Test matches with 6 centuries is nowhere nearly great. But McCullum went into a completely different mode after becoming captain of the Kiwi side as he started focusing more on his batting.

As skipper, Brendon McCullum has scored 2330 runs at an average touching 46 with 6 centuries to show for his efforts. New Zealand cricket may have some big shoes to fill once McCullum has played out his last innings.

#3 Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka)

Mathews’ has been exceptional with the bat as captain of Sri Lanka

	MAT	RUNS	AVE	100s
As Captain	25	2347	61.76	6
As Player	31	1668	39.71	1

In his early years as a Test cricketer, Angelo Mathews used to be a talented batsman who was not delivering in accordance with his potential. However, little did anyone know that he would escalate his batting to dizzy heights once the weight of captaincy was put on his shoulders.

Mathews had a decent average of slightly below 40 and had scored a solitary century in 31 Tests as a player. On the other hand, as captain of the Sri Lankan team, the 28-year old batsman averages an outstanding 61.76 and has scored 6 hundreds.

With legends like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara having walked into the sunset, Angelo Mathews has proved that he is the right man to take Sri Lankan cricket forward by raising the bar with his batting.

#2 Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Misbah’s batting fortunes have flipped ever since he became captain

	MAT	RUNS	AVE	100s
As Captain	42	3344	56.67	7
As Player	19	1008	33.60	2

One of the factors that have spurred Pakistan’s recent success as a Test side has been the batting prowess of their skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. The old warhorse used to be a pretty average batsman in terms of statistics before he assumed the role of captain.

Having played 19 Tests, he averaged just a bit under 34 and had scored only 2 centuries. However, Misbah’s great transformation as a reliable Test batsman came about once he started captaining the Pakistan side.

In 42 Tests as skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq has more than 3000 runs at a tremendous average of 56.67 and as many as 7 centuries to his name. The Pakistani is 41 at present and may not be around for long, but he is certainly making the most of his time currently.

#1 Steven Smith (Australia)

Steven Smith has been superlative with the bat as skipper of Australia

	MAT	RUNS	AVE	100s
As Captain	11	1259	89.92	6
As Player	30	2540	51.83	8

Australian skipper Steven Smith’s rise to the top of the batting charts in recent years has been quite phenomenal. However, he seems to have taken this batting prowess to the level ever since he took over as captain of the Test team.

Smith had a very good record as a batsman even when he was not skipper as he scored his runs at an average of just under 52. But his statistics as the Aussie captain have been incredible to say the least, he averages a staggering 89.92 and already has 6 centuries in 11 Tests.

If he continues to bat the way he has done so far, Steven Smith may well go on to break a number of batting records in the years to come.