New Zealand is one of the most competitive Nations in the cricketing world. Although they are yet to win a World Cup, the team has reached the knockout stages comfortably in the last few ICC tournaments. After losing to England in the 2019 WC Final, New Zealand defeated India in the ICC World Test Championship final in 2021. They became the first-ever country to win the WTC. The Nation also reached the semi-finals of the T20I WC in 2022 in which they lost to Australia. Their captains have been outstanding leaders and have contributed immensely to the field. In this article, you will read about the top 10 run-getters for NZ as captains in ODIs.
1. Stephen Fleming
Born in 1973, Stephen Fleming was a former left-handed batter for New Zealand. He made his ODI debut against India in 1994 at home. He was considered one of the most influential skippers of his time. The batter is the most capped test player for New Zealand in 111 test matches. He was given the captaincy role in the ODIs in 1997 and led the team in 218 matches until 2007. As a batter, he scored 6295 runs at an average of 32.79. The player announced his international retirement in 2008.
2. Kane Williamson
The Mr. Cool of batting oozes class and maturity while batting. The right-handed batter was born in Tauranga in 1990. He was the skipper of the 2008 Under-19 team for New Zealand. He made his ODI debut against India in 2010 and has been a regular inclusion in all three formats ever since. He was appointed as the captain in 2012 and has led the team in 88 matches scoring 3827 runs at an average of 49.07. He is one of the “Fab Four” batters alongside Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Steven Smith.
3. Brendon McCullum
The demolishing wicketkeeper and right-handed batter was born in September 1981. The former opening batter for New Zealand was known for his aggressive approach throughout his batting. Considered one of the most brutal batsmen of the game, Brendon McCullum made his ODI debut against Australia at the SCG. He was named the captain in 2009 and led the team in 61 matches until 2016. He scored 1862 runs while opening the batting at an average of 33.85. He announced his retirement in 2019 from all forms of the game at the age of 37.
4. Martin Crowe
Martin Crowe was a former right-handed batter and skipper. He was born in Auckland in 1962. He was also a handy bowler who could chip in with a few overs. The batter made his ODI debut against Australia in 1982 and was one of the most innovative thinkers. Despite injuries throughout his career, Crowe managed to somehow influence his players and bring the best out of them. Named as the captain in 1990, the player led the team in 44 matches until 1993. He scored 1634 runs as captain at an impressive average of 45.34. The former Kiwi skipper announced his retirement from all forms of the game in 1996.
5. Tom Latham
The first-choice wicket-keeper and a left-handed batter was born in Christchurch in 1992. He is a versatile batter who can bat at the top as well as in the middle-order. He also leads the team in the absence of Kane Williamson. The WK batter made his ODI debut against India in 2014 and has been a key batsman for New Zealand in the format. He was appointed as the captain in 2017 and has led the team in 33 matches. As a batter, he scored 1264 runs while leading the side at an average of 46.81. The player is also included in the CWC 23 squad.
6. Geoff Howarth
Geoff Howarth was a former right-handed batter who was born in 1951. In a test match against England in 1978, the batter scored two consecutive tons in the same match. He made his ODI debut against the same team in 1975 at home. His ODI career did not come out as expected as he was shuffled around the batting line-up which did not bring the best out of him. He was appointed as the captain in 1980 and led the team in 60 matches. He scored 1124 runs at an average of 21.62 as a captain. He retired from all forms in 1986.
7. Ken Rutherford
Ken Rutherford was a former right-handed batter who was born in 1965. He made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 1985 and went on to play 121 matches in the format. He was given the captaincy role in 1993 and led the team in 37 matches. During his captaincy stint, he scored 1075 runs at an average of 31.62. His best score in the format was 108 and he announced his retirement from international cricket in 1995.
8. John Wright
John Wright was a former left-handed batter who was born in Canterbury in 1954. He made his ODI debut against England in 1978 and went on to play 149 matches in the format. He was given the captaincy role in 1983 and led the team in 31 matches until 1990. During his captaincy era, the southpaw scored 1062 runs at an average of 34.62. He retired from international cricket in 1992.
9. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori was a former left-arm orthodox bowler who was born in Auckland in 1979. He was one of the best in the business when it came to spin bowling. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 1997. The spinner and a handy batter down the order was given the captaincy role in 2004 and continued till 2011. In 82 matches as captain, he scored 982 runs.
10. Ross Taylor
He is one of the best batters from New Zealand. Born in Wellington in 1984, the batter made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 2006. He was given the captaincy role in 2010 and led the team in 20 matches until 2012. He scored 795 runs as captain at an impressive average of 46.76.
