Top records held by captains in Test cricket: Details here
What's the story
Test cricket is considered to be the ultimate form of the game, as it is the toughest format, which tests the mental and physical endurance of a player to the utmost level. More than the player himself, it is the captain who shoulders the most pressure in the format, as we take a look at some of the records held by them.
Most matches
Graeme Smith: Captain reliable in Tests
Having played the most matches as the captain proves the player's reliability in the format for the role. On the same note, the record for having played the most matches in the format lies with South Africa's Graeme Smith, who featured in 109 matches. He also holds the record for scoring the most runs as Test captain (8,659).
Most wickets
Imran Khan: The captain who was a nightmare for batsmen
Not all Test captains are just restricted to batting, but bowlers too go on to become great leaders. In the same light, the record for the most wickets by a captain in Tests lies with Pakistan's Imran Khan, who claimed 187 wickets in 48 matches, at an average of 20.26. None of the current captains are even in the top 10.
Most win percentage
Steve Waugh: The Aussie has the best win percentage
The primary job of a captain is to lead his side to a win. Similarly, the record for the best win percentage by a captain in the format lies with Australian great Steve Waugh. Having led the side in 57 Tests, he managed to win 41 and lost just nine, as he has a win percentage of 71.92.
Data
Graeme Smith: The centurion as Test captain
When the Test captain is a batsman, he is ought to earn tremendous fame if he scores the most number of centuries. Consequently, Graeme Smith once again tops the list for scoring the most Test centuries, of 25, including 36 half-centuries.
Best bowling figures
Kapil Dev and Courtney Walsh were lethal with the ball
Asides claiming the maximum Test wickets as captain, the record for claiming the most wickets in an innings and match is also of great importance. As for the innings, India's Kapil Dev holds the record of claiming nine, against the West Indies, in 1983. Meanwhile, Courtney Walsh of the Windies holds the same for the match, having claimed 13, against New Zealand, in 1995.
Other records
Other records as Test captain
Some other records held by Test captains: Most consecutive matches: Allan Border- 93 (Australia). Winning all tosses in a series: Alfred Shaw- 4 (England). Youngest captain: Rashid Khan- 20 years 350 days (Afghanistan). Oldest captain on debut: Warren Bardsley- 43 years 216 days (Australia). Oldest captain: WG Grace- 50 years 320 days (England). Highest individual score: Brian Lara- 400 not out (West Indies).