The Crisis of Captaincy

A history of first-class cricket captains from the early 19th century to the present. The author begins with an appraisal of the situation which led to David Gower's replacement as Captain of England by Mike Gatting. The distinction between classes in cricket is traced back to the earliest days with the gentry leading sides and employing professionals as bowlers. Although players such as Grace and MacLaren were excellent amateur cricketers, there were many others who, although inadequate as players, captained sides because of their social status. The tension and resentment created by this situation lasted until the Second World War, after which social attitudes changed and caused upheavals at Kent and Gloucestershire anmong other counties. Even after the amateur/professional distinction was abolished in the early 1960s, there remained an awarenesss of social class which has lingered to the present day. The cases of Brearley, Fletcher, Willis, Botham and Nicholas are examined in detail.