Captain Courageous...or Leader Looney !

By Private

(Writing for a blog is way too difficult than starting one. At least that's what my experience has been as I have three defunct blogs to my credit and the last one was updated back in May 2006! But if I thought I could do away with writing on "Sting in the Tail", I was wrong. For my teammates -- Skipper, Rico, Kowalski – are hell bent not to let me breath easy.)

So, there I was searching for something to write upon when I stumbled on this piece of news that Somerset skipper Justin Langer declared for 50 for eight against Middlesex. Now that's bold if not insane. I can't imagine any Indian captain doing that (not that they are all sane). That prompted me to do a quick check and compile some of the most innovative/shrewd/bold decisions skippers around the world took in the past.

1. Arguably one of the most cunning captains the game has ever seen, Mike Brearley declared Middlesex first innings naught for naught in crucial and County Championship decider against Surrey. But for a brief 23 minutes of play on the second day, the first two days were washed out. The next day Surrey were bundled out for paltry 42 in 76 minutes flat on a damp green top.

The crowd expected Middlesex to build up a hefty lead so as to gain bonus points in the remaining time but Brearley thought otherwise. He called back his openers – John Emburey and Ian Gould – after they'd faced only one ball. The innings was declared 0/0. The bowlers wrecked havoc on Surrey again and bundled them out for 89. Middlesex were left to score 132 in 27 minutes and another 20 overs thereafter. Again Brearley led from the front and made a magnificent 66* to craft a win and Middlesex went to share the title with Kent.

2. An almost similar thing, although with not so much at stake was done by Steve Waugh. In January 2002, with the home series against South Africa wrapped up, the Australian captain decides that only positive cricket from his side will bring the fans to the New Year Test at the SCG.

Having won the toss, he elects to forfeit his first innings. South Africa reach 200 without loss but their lower order once again fails and they are all out for 201.

The hosts' 567, completed in 60 overs, was enough to ensure victory after a second disappointing knock from the tourists.

3. Rahul Dravid, although no where in league of above-mentioned gentlemen, is one of the boldest captains India has ever seen. No we are not talking about his much-maligned experiments with truth…err…I mean batting order but the way he used to, and still, give importance to the results than personal records.

Sachin Tendulkar was still the reigning deity when, during the Pakistan of tour of 2004, Dravid chose to declare the innings when the little master got stuck at 194. The stand-in captain drew flak from every corner but the decision was justified when India went on to win the Multan Test.

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