Australia has always been in the headlines when it comes to cricket. This country has witnessed mighty players winning tough tournaments and earning themselves the title of “Dominant” in world cricket. Cricket is the national sport of Australia and indeed has attracted a large number of people to the game. But it has always never been the same; it was the selectors of the cricketing team, the quality players, and mostly the captains that have steered this country through this long path of the cricketing world. Some successful captains get their due credit and are considered legends of the game.
1. Ricky Ponting
Crowned as the most successful captain of Australia of all time, Ricky Ponting had all the qualities of a captain. Winning the World Cup thrice for his country in 1999, 2003, and 2007, and winning the champions trophy twice in 2006 and 2009, he showed off the skills of a true leader. Furthermore, Ponting led Australia to a series of Test, ODI, and T20 wins; also helping his country bring the Ashes Cup home on eight occasions. He led his country to 48 testvictories and 262 ODI victories after which he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
2. Allan Border
A well-known name who reluctantly stepped into captaincy to uplift the Australian team after the resignation of Kim Hughes in 1984. This “grumpy” led Australia to a World Cup win in 1987 by beating the mighty England. However, his contribution to bringing back the Ashes on consecutive occasions in the 90s was considered a tremendous success. It gave him all the confidence of the fans and critics. He is the most capped test Player with 156 matches, including a record of 153 consecutive matches.
3. Steve Waugh
Described as the ‘cold-blooded, scientific’ leader of the then-Australian team that won the World Cup in 1999 and registered a record win of 16 tests from 1997 to 2004, Steve Waugh was another jewel of a captain. The turning point of his career was his exemplary contribution in the 1987 World Cup where his cameo batting performance and impressive bowling led Australia to their first-ever World Cup win. He won 8 out of the 9 matches as a captain in Ashes tests. Winning 41 out of 57 and 67 out of 106 games in tests and ODIs, he is regarded as the captain of the Greatest Australian Team.
4. Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor steered Australia back to Test cricket domination and continued the legacy of Border after he left. He never disappointed his country as a captain. Captaining Australia between 1994 to 1999, Taylor didn’t even lose a single Ashes series, continuing the legacy of Border. Standing at first slip, he held the record for the most catches, which made him the safest pair of hands at first slip. His tactics and positive demeanor won him many accolades from his team and fans. Captaining Australia in 26 wins out of 50 Tests and 67 wins out of 113 ODIs, Mark Taylor left his impact on Australian cricket.
5. Michael Clarke
It was never easy for Clarke to captain Australia in the 2011 to 2015 period when he battled it out on the world stage. Being criticized by many eminent Australian legends, Michael Clarke still didn’t give up, which led him to a World Cup win in 2015. Clarke quit the eminent T20 leagues just for his commitment to his nation for the longer formats of games. After a loss in 2013 in the Ashes, he returned stronger with his coach Darren Lehmann to register a complete whitewash and claim back the ashes with his impeccable batting. Recording 24 out of 47 and 50 out of 74 test and ODI matches, respectively Clarke remains one of the most imminent captains Australia has ever had.
6. Sir Don Bradman
Sir Don Bradman had always been considered the greatest cricketing legend ever lived in the 19th century. Having an impeccable batting average of 99.94, Bradman led Australia to many test victories which included a sweep of five consecutive Ashes series from 1934 to 1948. Australia was looked upon as the cricketing champions. In his tenure as a captain, he led the team on 24 occasions, of which they came out to be winning on 15 occasions.
7. Pat Cummins
Coronated as the Test team And the ODI team captain, Cummins went on to achieve a lot during his short tenure. He was also a member of the World Cup-winning squad in 2014. Cummins went on to lead his team to a historic triumph in the World Test championship in 2023 against India. He also added an Ashes to his name in 2021-22 with impressive bowling figures. He is yet to achieve other big trophies and is currently the best ICC Test Bowler.
8. Aaron Finch
Leading the Australian ODI and T20 sides had been a daunting task for Finch. He captained Australia to its maiden ICC T20 World Cup in 2021, which overwhelmed the nation. In 75 and 55 games in T20 and ODI, Finch managed to win 39 and 31 matches respectively, as the captain of his country Australia.
9. Richie Benaud
Not only a well-known commentator, but Richie Benaud was also a legendary Australian cricket player with terrific captaincy skills. His captaincy was also well known as it helped Australia to bring home the Ashes in 1958. He also captained Australia in a test series win in Pakistan, which was the last until after 37 years Mark Taylor won it for them.
10. Ian Chappel
One of the Chappell brothers, who captained Australia during the tenure of 1971-75, Ian Chappel is known for his confrontations with the opponents and also the cricket administrators through verbal words. The issue of sledging in cricket is perhaps introduced by him to the cricketing world. He was really sound in executing these sledging which would generally make the opponents on their backfoot. He regained the Ashes in 1974-75 after losing it twice to England, but it was not long after this that he announced his retirement.
