When Kevin Pietersen resigned as English cricket captain he no doubt believed he was leaving behind a position of great responsibility, importance and prestige. The media went mad; English cricket was (and maybe still is) in crisis. ‘Poms plight is well worth a giggle’ was the headline for one Australian newspaper, perhaps seeing this incident as a vital blow to England’s ashes chances in the summer. However, the fact that Pietersen took coach Peter Moores with him demonstrates just how much power a national captain has – which, in this case, proved negative. So, does a sports team really need a captain?
The majority of sport players will be quick to point out the benefits of having a leader within a squad – for experience, motivation, and inspiration. In rugby, the captain’s role as the communicative link between his team and the referee seemingly makes him an indispensable part of the game. Likewise, the role Pietersen used to fulfil in making decisions about bowlers, field positions and whether to declare when batting, is one that cannot be simply ousted from the sport. Having one single authority on the pitch stops conflicting views and quick tempers when emotions run high.
Indeed, captaincy can benefit the individual as well as the group. No doubt Andrew Strauss will be lifted by his recent appointment to replace Pietersen, determined to excel and justify his position at the helm of English cricket. Potential can be unleashed with a symbolic gesture; captaincy can make a player into an imposing yet well respected figure, applauded by contemporaries.
Our question is not so simply answered, however. As is obvious from recent events, not all reigns of captaincy end triumphantly, and their initial appointment can also be problematic, causing ill feeling, disappointment and factions amongst the team. Maybe Fabio Capello got it right, by rotating the captaincy when he succeeded Steve McClaren as England manager, and thereby testing for the best option.
And what if there is no suitable candidate for leadership? What if no natural leader presents himself? Should the best player be promoted, as has been the case with Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal? Or, if there is no one appropriate, should no one receive a promotion? The argument that professional players would respect a new captain regardless of their own opinions, is rebuked by the suggestion that they are also disciplined enough to be entrusted with a collective responsibility when the promotion of a team-mate would be nothing more than a superficial act.
Even if the right appointment of a captain appears to be a good one it does not necessarily mean they will set a shining example automatically. William Gallas’ ‘sit in’ protest at St. Andrews during last year’s Premier League campaign was slated by both fans and pundits alike. Likewise, Roy Keane’s message to Alf Inge Halaand after a horror tackle in the 2001 Manchester derby was hardly the behaviour of a role model.
One problem with captaincy seems to be that it enhances the emotional connection between a player and his team- they perhaps feel obliged to let their feelings get the better of them, as a demonstration of passion to their fans, or of fearlessness to their colleagues.
Yet – the captain sets an example, and his bad behaviour carries more implications than merely a red card or disciplinary action. Unofficial vice-captaincy positions means more individuals can potentially damage team morale through misbehaviour – as Andrew Flintoff did when he swapped his vice-captaincy duties at the 2007 Cricket World Cup for the skippering duties of a pedal-powered sea vessel.
Saying this, the above examples are rarities. In reality, sport as a whole is bigger than just professional athletes, and a team leader is, in my opinion, crucial at an amateur level. In college sport for example, someone needs to take up the responsibility of organising training, making people show up in time for matches and helping everyone settle in to a team. If nothing more, then appointing a captain in an amateur team, be it a college’s rugby side or an under-12s football squad can make the players feel more like they are part of something well drilled and serious. Yet the same problems still exist – the wrong appointment can have effects just as damaging.
In reality though, the word ‘captain’ is more than just a job title – it carries with it a certain weight. This weight means responsibility, and duty. For a team to go permanently without a leader is rather naïve, but I do not see the harm in giving the idea of collective responsibility a go when no one immediately stands out from the crowd. In a team, a leader will – at some point- naturally emerge. A system of trial an error will also work, as managers test different people in the position. Ultimately, time and thought must go into the appointment, so that a new captain can enjoy greater stability and a long and prosperous reign. It is at this point that the role of the captain becomes fundamental.
