Vaughn versus Ponting "head to head"

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Ernest

My sentiments as well Paoli, my memories of Botham as captain are only to vivid.

I've never fancied an allrounder as captain, too much work, and also it would ruin Freddie's work..My dad tells me also the worst thing england ever did was give Botham the captaincy!!

In AFL at the moment, there is a fella called Lance Whitnall for a side called Carlton who was always a bit of a "Fat Cat". HE has lost a load of weight and is now playing career-best football, and the captaincy is the thing he doesn't need to ruin his work..

Some players are born leaders, others are great but not captains..Harmison and Flintoff for England, potential greats but not leaders...Vaughan for now...

Punter could be known as the captain who lost the Ashes, and probably will, but not in 2005 i dont think!!!

[Pete]

Strauss will be the next England captain.

[Milo]

I wouldn't want to see them ruin Strauss as a batsman like they appear to have done with Vaughan. Maybe we should take a leaf out of South Africa's book at give the next England captaincy to Bell.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Milo

I wouldn't want to see them ruin Strauss as a batsman like they appear to have done with Vaughan. Maybe we should take a leaf out of South Africa's book at give the next England captaincy to Bell.

I agree with Milo. If Strauss lives up to expectations, you would'nt want to destroy him by giving him the poison chalise of the English captaincy.

[Chuck Palumbo]

But does the captaincy have to affect a players performance?

There has been many examples in recent years where a players performance has actually improved when taking over the captaincy. Current examples are Graeme Smith and Inzamam who have seemed to thrive on being captain and have scored many runs. In the past, Steve Waugh scored 15 of his 100s as captain. Who can forget the many rearguard innings Atherton used to play as captain.

So I don't think appointing someone captain is not automatically mean their performances are going to falter...it may actually improve them.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I beleive his averages say different but I always thought athers was a better player post captaincy.

[Ernest]

I agree, a lot would depend on the make up of the person, for example no one would give the captaincy to Steve Harmason.
On the other hand, Botham was to laid back, I don't think he has authority with the team, but even a guy like Botham, the strain must have got him down.

Originally Posted by Chuck Palumbo

There has been many examples in recent years where a players performance has actually improved when taking over the captaincy. Current examples are Graeme Smith and Inzamam

Neither of these players were English, if you want to take Mike Atherton I don't think there was that much difference, he was I think the exception to the rule with England captains.

Originally Posted by Paoli69

I've never fancied an allrounder as captain, too much work, and also it would ruin Freddie's work..My dad tells me also the worst thing england ever did was give Botham the captaincy!!

I agree wiith you here, and Australia have more reason to remember what happened when Botham was relieved of the England captaincy.

[Milo]

To be fair, there is very little difference to Inzamam and Steve Waugh's performances as captain and non-skipper. The Smith one is a very strange example. He only played 8 tests before being made captain. It was this example to which I was referring when I said England should appoint Bell (preferably sometime next year). For the record, Smith had already scored 2 centuries (averaging 55) before being made captain so I find it difficult to accept he has improved as skipper.

As for English players (which is the issue here) who have improved as captain, there really is only one Gooch. The rest have either found the job affected their performance (Botham, Gower, Stewart, Vaughan) or it has really made little difference (Hussain, Atherton and Gatting).

[Leafy Seadragon]

Milo, I think that you're being harsh on Ponting. Chappell, Border & Waugh were top-shelf, but even then I think Ponting would push Chappell for a spot, or take the spare middle order position. Border and Waugh provided a different role to Chappell and Ponting, generally suited to number 4-6, whereas Chappell & Ponting were more 3-4 so the four would balance well.

ps. I should admit a bias against Chappell - he told me to "****** off" when I was a kid seeking his autograph. Very pleasant man...not. Pity, he's from my home town where opinion seems consistent with my experience. In contrast, the Indian cricket team in the same match offered me a ride to the train station in their taxis and passed my autograph book around for the team to sign

[Beny]

I should admit a bias against Chappell - he told me to "****** off" when I was a kid seeking his autograph. Very pleasant man...not.

I've had to wince at some of his comments on air too. Rather cruel and thoughtless things he's said.