Do you have the skills to apply for cricket captaincy? | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

Do you have the skills to apply for cricket captaincy?

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Today's article is a mock 'job description' for a cricket captain. If you were applying would you get the job?

 

The details have been supplied by Ryan Maron, Assistant Coach to the Netherlands national cricket team, VRA player coach and Director of Ryan Maron's Cricket School of Excellence in South Africa.

Job title: Club Cricket Captain.

Location: Anywhere.
Position Type: Part Time in summer.
Working Hours: Saturdays, Sundays and some evenings.
Salary: £0 (unless you are lucky).
Benefits: The feeling of a job well done when you win.


Job Requirements

Practice and pre-match

 
  • Able to attend practice regularly and lead by example.
  • Able to attend selection meetings and be confident to have a say in the balance of the side.
  • Willing to discuss game plans with coaches and/or senior players.
  • Take the time to talk to each player about their role in the team.
  • Able to make last minute changes to the team due to injury or other reason.
  • Have a number of player contacts to call up due to last minute drop outs. 

During the match

 
  • Prepared to make practical arrangements for players where needed including provision of meals and transportation to matches.
  • Able to assess conditions including the pitch, weather and local rules.
  • Decide whether to bat or bowl and toss up with opposing captain.
  • Analyse strengths and weaknesses of opposition, sometimes on little information.
  • Decide a batting order and let everyone know the plan.
  • Calculate bowling changes based on conditions and match situation.
  • Set the field for each batter in combination with your bowlers.
  • Willing to set unusual fields or use unorthodox tactics based on hunches.
  • Keen to watch the match, even when not directly involved (i.e. Have just got out).
  • Able to encourage fielders and bowlers at all times.
  • High levels of concentration on captaincy as well as your own skills.
  • Able to keep the game flowing and not let a situation get out of control.
  • Calmness under extreme tension.
  • Have a 'play to win' attitude, fighting to the last ball. 

Post Match

 
  • Able to listen to and process advice.
  • Willing to learn from mistakes.
  • Develop a 'thick skin' to criticism and look forward to the next game whatever the result.
  • Able to smile and stay positive even in defeat.
  • Be a polite and friendly host to the opposition. 

If you are thinking of becoming a captain, consider this 'job description' as a checklist to all you have to do. It's a job you can only learn through experience and you are bound to make mistakes on the way. Sometimes those mistakes will be very obvious too. 

It can be a thankless task sometimes but the benefits outweigh the costs when you get it right.

Remember this is just for fun, don't apply and thanks again to Ryan Maron for contributing the majority of the tips in this article.

Photo credit: ervine_wa

 


Want to be a better captain? Learn from the best with the interactive online course Cricket Captaincy by Mike Brearley.

 

Author: David Hinchliffe

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Comments

by abdul quddus (not verified) | Thu, 25/11/2010 - 10:04

my name is abdul quddus. i am pakistani.i love cricket game and also playing it. i am leg spin bowler and medal order batsman.

by taimoor raza (not verified) | Mon, 14/02/2011 - 09:14

i am a cricket player. i am leg spin bowler plz give me one chance

by David Hinchliffe | Mon, 14/02/2011 - 13:07

One chance for what?

by habib ullah dars (not verified) | Sun, 06/03/2011 - 19:37

hi sir; i m right hand batsman plz give me a chance to prove our skills

by MUHAMMAD ASHRAF (not verified) | Wed, 09/03/2011 - 08:52

ASALAM U ALAIKUM.I AM MUHAMMAD ASHRAF FROM OKARA PUNJAB PAKISTAN. ACTUALLY I WANT TO PLAY FOR CANADA BECAUSE OF NOT GIVING RESPONSE IN PAKISTAN. BASICALLY I M A RIGHT HANDED FAST BOWLER AND RIGHT HAND BESTMAN PLAYING FROM SHAHEEN CRICKET CLUB AND NATIONAL CRICKET ACADEMY.I PLAYED IN DISTRICT U19 IN 2007.I PLAYED IN DISTRICT SEANIOR TROPHY IN 2008 & 2010.AND SHOWED VERY GOOD PERFORMANCE.MY HIGHT IS 6'3". I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT PLEASE TAKE A TRIAL OF MINE IF U CAN PLZ I M ALSO FACING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN PLZ DO SOMETHING FOR ME I WILL BE VERY THANKFUL TO U
FROM
Muhammad Ashraf

by Muhammad Raza (not verified) | Sat, 12/03/2011 - 13:11

i have passed the matric.i read first year.i should take part time job.03214021380

by MUHAMMAD FAHEEM (not verified) | Sat, 12/03/2011 - 13:22

i am a player of alrounder. i am captaion of cricket club.my performance is very well.
please only one chance.i prove that.03326947581

by rai asad (not verified) | Sun, 10/04/2011 - 15:52

hi sir i want to join cricket team i am very good all rounder right hand

by umar pansota (not verified) | Tue, 12/04/2011 - 07:26

hi sir i m all rounder
RIGHT HAND BATSMAN AND RIGHT ARM FAST BOWLER
PLZ GIVE ME ONE CHANCE

by David Hinchliffe | Tue, 12/04/2011 - 07:32

You do realise that there is nothing to apply for? This is a fake job application, there is no real job. It's just for fun.

by rafi (not verified) | Thu, 21/07/2011 - 06:15

hai sir iam rafi all rounder
Right hand Batsman and Right arm fast bowler,
Plz sir Give me one chance plz sir
my dream indian cricket team .... Plz sir plz

by sohaib virk (not verified) | Sun, 11/03/2012 - 03:56

hi sir i am sohaib and i am all rounder right hand batsman and right arm fast bowler and also a opening batsman sir plz give me a chance plz sir.i am very poor.plz sir i have one chance and change tha cricket.....

by ketan leuva (not verified) | Sat, 07/04/2012 - 12:53

hi sir, i am a left hend batsman, and good fielder, please give me a one chance, 919099959166

by akash raj gupta (not verified) | Wed, 25/04/2012 - 03:13

hello sir i am a very good player
give me a one chance

by ashish supare (not verified) | Thu, 03/05/2012 - 08:50

I think i am capable of becoming a captain but it is upto u sir after seeing my skill u decide...
but every time i will prove my self .... yes i am a all rounder and i can handle the situation come to me thankyou

by Babar khan (not verified) | Thu, 14/06/2012 - 18:17

Dear sir' My name is Babar khan I am a cricket player and my status is al rounder I am a right hand batsman my bating is very good because I m free hiter and my boling is medium fast .i have a ability to response my team and I can ply test matches ;I am playing last 6 years so plz try me my age is 24 thank u.

by Syed Ali (not verified) | Wed, 19/09/2012 - 14:10

Hello David my name is Ali i live in UnitedKingdom in slough i want to play cricket as a england team this is my dream to play cricket with them as a best alrounder basically i m a good player and i used to play cricket as good batsman i mean good hitter and also good fielder. i can do bowling leg spin off spin in same action. i wish to get a one chance in ur team as captain or as a team member i know how to do captaincy i hope u will contact and offer me to join 's cheer's ur best regard's Syed Ali

by David Hinchliffe | Wed, 19/09/2012 - 14:13

This is not a real application, there is nothing to apply to. Best of luck Syed, if you have specific questions where you need help please let us know. Happy to help!

by Syed Ali (not verified) | Wed, 19/09/2012 - 17:41

oh sorry david thank's for reply Smiling

by atif ahmad (not verified) | Thu, 04/10/2012 - 06:35

Hi it's me atif ahmad i'm a y0ung talent cricketer f0r pakistan... I'm alr0under i can d0 fast b0wling, experence bating, quickly fielding & als0 spin b0wling leg & gogly & als0 d0sra...i can d0 s0mething f0r pakistan s0 plz just invinte me f0r trials that i sh0w u my experice & talent...here's my nmbr... 03139234153 c0ntact me plz..! thnx

by ABDUL AZIZ KHAN (not verified) | Fri, 05/10/2012 - 03:24

AZIZ IS HERE.....
SIR I M RIGHT HAND FAST BALLER....I WANT TO PLAY FOR PAKISTAN...PLZ DETAIL ME HOW TO APPLY FOR JOIN A PAKISTANI CRICKET TEAM....HERE IN OUR VILLAGE I HAVE NO FACILITIES TO ACCHIVED MY DREAMS....ME LIVE IN VILLAGE OF DISTRIC (ATTOCK)...SIR PLZ REPLY MUST ME WAITING.....!

by kashif niazi (not verified) | Thu, 11/10/2012 - 05:24

i am a good player of cricket please give me a one chance

by kashif niazi (not verified) | Thu, 11/10/2012 - 05:26

i am a good player of cricket please give me a chance i am all rounder
please select me please

by kashif niazi (not verified) | Thu, 11/10/2012 - 05:28

please reply me please i ma waiting for your answer

by David Hinchliffe | Thu, 11/10/2012 - 07:59

Sure, you can have a chance. What does it involve exactly. Please carefully read the article before you reply as there may be a trick in my question.

by khurram khawaja (not verified) | Sat, 09/02/2013 - 04:17

hallo david sir,
my name is khurram khawaja i am live in pakisan, multan i am left hand king of sipner and fair batting line please sir you help me how i am going holland and playing circket i am wating your answer
thankyou sir best off luck

by M Ajaz (not verified) | Tue, 26/03/2013 - 05:27

Hi, I am Ajaz from Bangalore,India. I m a good all rounder right hand batsmen & right arm fast medium bowler. I am intrested in cricket since I was of 8 years old & from that time I was playing as a local player in bangalore cricket tournments(BCT) & now I want to go for big so plz sir just give me one chance if u r happy with my all rounding cricket skillsi will be more appreciated by myself. Thankyou

by M Ajaz (not verified) | Tue, 26/03/2013 - 05:27

Hi, I am Ajaz from Bangalore,India. I m a good all rounder right hand batsmen & right arm fast medium bowler. I am intrested in cricket since I was of 8 years old & from that time I was playing as a local player in bangalore cricket tournments(BCT) & now I want to go for big so plz sir just give me one chance if u r happy with my all rounding cricket skillsi will be more appreciated by myself. Thankyou

by M Danish Khan (not verified) | Thu, 18/04/2013 - 07:41

hy sir i am from pakistan and i am right hand opening batsmen and give me one chance...........

by Hamza faheem (not verified) | Sat, 27/07/2013 - 19:27

Helo sir my name is hamza and I am from Pakistan I am a great player of cricket ..and honestly I have great skills in batting and a good fielder...plzz reply me as soon as possible..your obident..

by nizam-ud-Din (not verified) | Mon, 29/07/2013 - 18:26

dear sir i'm a cricketer I;M FROM PAKISTAN now i'm 20 year old i was get hte best player at ALL school es tournament was 2010,,, nd then i select for under 19 team nd now a days i'm playing grade tow ,, but here is no btr chance for cricketers,,,,, i"m all rounder plsyr,, plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz gave me one chance on merit plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz just check me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz THANKSSSSSSS DEAR SIR,,,,,,,,,,,,,

MY PHONE NUM 03439778764

by waqar khan (not verified) | Mon, 09/09/2013 - 03:35

my name is waqar khan form swat i am all rounder i want play cricket for zimbabwe thank you

by kashif Ali (not verified) | Mon, 23/09/2013 - 12:31

I am a good bastman plz give me a chance to prove it

by Saddam Hussain (not verified) | Tue, 26/11/2013 - 08:51

I AM ALLROUNDER RIGHT HAND BATSMAN AND RIGHT ARM FAST BOWLER PLX GIVE CHANCE PLX

by mohammad sulman (not verified) | Sat, 14/12/2013 - 20:38

I AM ALLROUNDER RIGHT HAND BATSMAN AND RIGHT ARM FAST BOWLER PLEASE GIVE A CHANCE FOR PLAY CRICKET

by awaiz ahmed (not verified) | Mon, 31/03/2014 - 12:15

hi sir; i m right hand bats man and i love cricket and i am playing cricket since 2 years with my friends . i am all rounder . can u give a chance to prove my self as a good crickter .
thank you so much sir .

by subhadip ghosh (not verified) | Wed, 02/07/2014 - 07:07

Hello sir,
i"m subh i want to play cricket with resposibility bt my parents &somev finencial problem stopped me to fulfil my wish.pls u do something............

by Aurangzeb Aryan (not verified) | Sat, 27/09/2014 - 17:54

Hello Sir
l am an allrounder opening batsman. i love to be a cricket player n hope i will be a team player. i can not anything without hoping because i do not have any resources. you can do something for me.
Thanks
Aurangzeb Aryan
From Afghanistan

by Afzal Shaikh (not verified) | Wed, 14/01/2015 - 06:23

Good Morning Sir , I am Afzal Shaikh From Mumbai , India . I am a Leg Spin bowler Please sir please take my selection first but please give one chance please sir please

by Arpit kumar srivastav (not verified) | Thu, 22/01/2015 - 04:13

I am from INDIA.I read all your requirment and i am able to do all the above requirment.
May i know from where i can apply for this oppurtunity.
Thanks...

by ashish kumar yadav (not verified) | Mon, 20/04/2015 - 09:27

si r,i am a a right arm fast bowler and also a good batsman and i want play cricket tournamments so give me one chance to prove myself

by Saif Ali (not verified) | Wed, 22/04/2015 - 14:28

Hello Sir! my name is Saif Ali. My lil brother wants to play cricket for India. Will you plz tell me how to apply for this? I want to give him a chance for his career....

by shakeel khan afridi (not verified) | Thu, 07/05/2015 - 12:39

sir,
i want to just say that cricket is the game in which we all can play but its is also the hard game we should be more hard work for it i am also play every sunday t20 matches and practice every in the ground near to us so i only request you to see my batting and bowling then its upon my Dear ALLAH that he will give me chance or not for reply me sent the message
shakel132afridi@gmail.com thank you

by Murad Aziz (not verified) | Fri, 23/10/2015 - 20:32

I'm a good player of cricket.Now I need one chance to prove my talent in International level Thanks

by shashikant sharma (not verified) | Tue, 24/11/2015 - 18:26

i love cricket and i am a very good captain for my team from my childhood because i think i have a ability to know the mentality of any batsman or bowler or fielder. this ability makes me a very good captain,all-rounder. i am from india.

DESCRIPTION

Batting: attacking and defensive ( both left and right hand batting)
Bowling: right and left arm medium pace
fielding is good

by shashikant sharma (not verified) | Tue, 24/11/2015 - 18:53

make plans and execute them correctly
i can bowl from both the hands effictively and good line and length. i am a Seamer.
i can field at point and cover region.

by Abdul Rahman. g (not verified) | Thu, 28/07/2016 - 09:21

I am India where is apply good telant bating please help me sir I am very poor my age 24