In the first part of the successful Test captains series, we looked at captains who had more wins than losses under their belt. The second part of the series will focus on the Most successful Test captains Part II across all eras. These captains carried the side no matter what conditions, opponents, or odds. The game has seen 7 captains who have had a win percentage of 54 or more.
Most successful Test captains – part II:
For more Cricket News and Updates Join our Telegram Channel
#7 Vivian Richards – 54.00%
This might sound like a surprise to many cricket lovers that Vivian Richards is the most successful West Indies Test skipper. The great Clive Lloyd had a win percentage of just 48.64. Vivian Richards on the other hand had a win percentage of 54. He led the side in some style in 50 Tests winning 27 of them. The great Windies side hardly lost a series during his tenure from 1980-91.
#6 Kane Williamson – 55.00%
The former New Zealand Test skipper is among the finest Test batsmen of the generation. His captaincy style is widely appreciated. Williamson’s success though has largely come under home conditions wherein they have been quite hard to beat. He has led the side in 40 Tests winning 22 of them at a win percentage of 55.
Also Read: Most Successful Test Captains – Part I
#5 Steve Smith – 55.55%
He took over captaincy duties from Michael Clarke. Smith during his captaincy regime led the side admirably. He became the first Australian captain since Adam Gilchrist to win a Test in India in 2017.
Smith’s captaincy was helped largely by his batting feats across the world. He led the side in a total of 36 Tests winning 20 of them at a win percentage of 55.55. If not for the sandpaper-gate scandal Smith could have continued to be a terrific Test captain.
#4 Mike Brearley – 58.06%
He was the one who drew the famous quote of cricket having a non-playing captain. Mike Brearley might not have had the greatest skills as a batter or a bowler but he was a mighty fine captain. The former English skipper led the side between 1977-81 in 31 Tests winning 18 of them. He had a win percentage of 58.06 placing him on the fourth spot of the all-timers list.
#3 Virat Kohli – 58.82%
He is India’s most Test successful skipper of all time. Virat Kohli is credited with building a world-beating Test side. He took over the mantle as full-time Test skipper in 2015. India was ranked 7th in the world at that point in time. Under Kohli, India was the top-ranked Test team for five years in a row. Kohli won 40 Tests out of the 68 he captained with a win percentage of 58.82.
#2 Ricky Ponting – 62.33%
It is little surprise that Ricky Ponting occupies the second spot among all-time successful Test captains. He led the side with aplomb between 2004-10 captaining 77 Tests. Australia’s biggest highs during his tenure were the 16 consecutive Test wins that the side managed to post. The side failed to conquer India and England away but still, he managed to conjure up a win percentage of 62.33.
#1 Steve Waugh – 71.92%
He is the most successful Test skipper of all time. Steve Waugh’s Australia was the last team to dominate world cricket the way they did. The side won across all conditions bar India. Australia once had a winning run of 16 Tests. Steve Waugh captained the side in 57 Tests winning 41 of them at a win percentage of 71.92. He is the only one to notch up a win percentage of 70+ in Tests for captains who have led in a minimum of 30 Tests.
