Ponting: The best captain ever.

[Tazwegian]

OK, the thread title was a bit of an intentional troll, but only because most people assume that I am talking about test matches. However, I am specifically referring to ODIs. Surely, his ODI record as captain and batsmen would ensure that he not only makes the ODI team of all time, but captains it. Who else can boast to never losing a single world cup game as captain? Who else can boast to making runs when they count in a ODI world cup to the extent that Punter can? He still has the record for the highest score in a WC final, and probably will hold it for a long time.

So, is Ponting the best ODI captain of all time? If not, why not? Besides the fact that you just copy what the commentators say, most of which is outdated nonsense.

 

[The Donners]

Statistically it's hard to argue.

Personally, AB is the best captain I've seen - I wasn't born when Ian Chappell was captain, said to be the best by some commentators.

My reason is that AB didn't have the glute of talent and professionalism (which he implimented) that Punter has had. Although AB's Australian one day outfit didn't dominate at WCs like Punter's has, he did manage a WC victory in '87 - '92 was very disappointing.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Personally, AB is the best captain I've seen - I wasn't born when Ian Chappell was captain, said to be the best by some commentators.

The thing I find interesting about Ian Chappell is his batting record as a captain compared to that as just a player.

In 76 Tests, he scored 5335 runs @ 42.34

In 46 Tests as a player only, he scored 2795 runs @ 37.27
In his 30 Tests as captain, he scored 2540 runs @ 49.80

I doubt any other player's average in Test history improved so markedly once he became captain.

 

[Tazwegian]

I doubt any other player's average in Test history improved so markedly once he became captain.

Ponting's average is better as a Captain than as a player also. Not sure about in ODIs though. Probably about equal.