There have been 42 captains of Australia since 1877. This volume by Prof. Max Howell answers all questions about them. Who was the first captain of Australia? Who was 'the great unbowlable'? Who was 'handsome Dave'? Or 'the big ship'? Or 'the corpse with pads on'? Or 'little Tich'? Or 'Captain Grumpy'? Or 'Punter'?
This book profiles each Test captain, examines their schools and their occupations as well as their career averages in batting and bowling, and records the stories of their lives.
Two were sons of market gardeners, two were posties, one a bookie and surprisingly more came from state schools than from private schools. Some were lucky to ascend into what has been called the second most important position in Australian society and only fleetingly captained their country, others had long and significant careers. Some led at a young age, and other captained when in the veteran stage, as a reward for services rendered. Others were removed while seemingly still in their prime.
The book poses the question of what makes a captain, but concludes there is no such thing as a single successful leadership style Some led from the front, by their deeds on the field, some were aloof, others operated as one of the boys. Successes and failures did not have specific models.
What is for certain is that each captain of Australia led to the best of his ability. Some have had cricket stands and entrances named after them, even grounds. One was knighted.
The book also describes the families from which many captains have come: the Gregorys, the Waughs, the Chappells. The Chappell brothers for example, Ian and Greg, followed one another as Australian captains, and their grandfather was Vic Richardson, another cricket captain.
'Born to Lead: The Australian Test Cricket Captains' is replete with information about Australia's 42 Test captains.
