Introduction to Cricket Captaincy

In this lesson you will look at what a cricket captain actually does. The captain is the on-field leader of the team. They make the toss call, set the field, choose when each bowler bowls, guide the batting order and speak for the team with the umpires. In a twenty-over match decisions come quickly, so a captain must think ahead rather than react. Captaincy is not about being the best player in the side. It is about helping eleven people play as one team. Throughout this module, think about captains you have played under and what made them effective or not.

• The captain leads the team on the field
• Toss, field, bowling changes and batting order
• Speaks for the team with the umpires
• Good captains think one or two overs ahead

In this lesson you will learn where the captain appears in the Laws of Cricket. Under Law 1 each captain nominates their players before the toss, and the captain is responsible at all times for the conduct of their team within the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket. The captain also takes part in the toss under Law 13 and may be consulted by the umpires about conduct, conditions or the state of the ground. If the captain leaves the field, a nominated deputy takes over these duties. Competition rules such as overs per bowler and team sheets are set out in playing conditions, so always check the WFA competition regulations.

• Captains nominate players before the toss
• Responsible for team conduct and the Spirit of Cricket
• A deputy takes over if the captain leaves the field
• Check the WFA competition regulations for local rules

In this lesson you will learn how a good captain prepares. Preparation starts days before the game: confirming availability, picking a balanced side and knowing who can bowl and how many overs. On the day, arrive early, walk out and look at the pitch, check the weather and the size of the boundaries at Winnston Park or the away ground. Talk to your vice-captain and agree a basic plan for both batting and bowling. A short written note of your bowling options and a provisional batting order removes a lot of stress once the match begins.

• Confirm availability and pick a balanced side
• Inspect the pitch, weather and boundary sizes
• Agree a plan with your vice-captain
• Write down bowling options and batting order

In this lesson you will look at the toss. The two captains toss in the presence of an umpire, and the winner chooses whether to bat or bowl first. In T20 there is no single right answer. Bowling first lets you know exactly what you are chasing, which many teams prefer. Batting first can suit a team with strong hitters, a pitch likely to slow down, or a strong bowling attack that can defend a total. Weather, dew, the condition of the outfield and your own team's strengths should all influence your choice. Make the decision before you walk out, not at the coin.

• Toss winner chooses to bat or bowl
• Chasing gives a known target
• Batting first suits slowing pitches and strong attacks
• Decide your preference before the coin is tossed

In this lesson you will learn the basics of captaining in the field. With the ball you control the game more directly than at any other time. You choose who opens the bowling, when to change ends, and where every fielder stands. Keep an eye on each bowler's overs, because standard T20 playing conditions limit bowlers to four overs each. Watch the batters closely and adjust the field when they show you where they want to score. Keep your fielders alert and positive with clear signals, and work with your wicketkeeper, who has the best view of the game.

• You control the game most when fielding
• Track each bowler's overs carefully
• Adjust the field to what the batters do
• Use the wicketkeeper as a second pair of eyes

In this lesson you will look at captaincy while batting. Your main jobs are setting the batting order, giving each batter a clear role and sending the right player in at the right time. In T20 the order can be flexible: you might promote a big hitter when quick runs are needed or hold back a steady player to rebuild after early wickets. Keep the dugout calm and organised, with the next two batters padded up and ready. Communicate the target score or required rate to the batters, and make sure everyone knows the plan for the overs ahead.

• Set a batting order with clear roles
• Be flexible about promoting or holding back batters
• Keep the next batters padded and ready
• Share the target and the plan with the batters

In this lesson you will learn why the captain sets the tone for behaviour. The Spirit of Cricket asks every player to respect opponents, team-mates, umpires and the traditions of the game. As captain you are responsible for how your team behaves. That means accepting umpiring decisions, stopping unfair sledging, appealing honestly and shaking hands at the end whatever the result. In a family league such as ours, this matters even more, because players and spectators often know each other well. A captain who leads with fairness and good humour earns respect that lasts far beyond one match.

• The captain is responsible for team behaviour
• Accept decisions and appeal honestly
• Stop unfair sledging immediately
• Lead with fairness and good humour

In this lesson you will learn what a captain does once the game is over. Thank the umpires, scorers and opposition, and make sure the scorebook or online scorecard is complete and agreed. Then take a few minutes with your team, win or lose, to highlight what went well and one or two things to improve. Keep criticism private and constructive. Report any injuries or incidents through the proper WFA channels. Finally, reflect on your own decisions: what worked, what you would change and what you learned. Every match is a lesson in captaincy.

• Thank officials, scorers and opponents
• Confirm the scorecard is complete and agreed
• Hold a short, positive team debrief
• Report injuries and incidents properly