
Originally Posted by
Brin
Has to be Mike Brearley
Test record: P 31 W 18 L 4 D 9
Mike Brearley averaged 29.79 in his Test career but is not really known for his feats with the bat.
He first took charge in 1977 and steered them to the Cricket World Cup final two years later. However, in 1980, the captaincy was passed on to Ian Botham.
The following year, though, England came calling again midway through an Ashes series against Australia.
Having made a pair at Lord's, Botham immediately stood down. Brearley returned and, with the ability to get his star all-rounder firing on all cylinders, duly led the team to three successive victories.
A draw at the Oval meant a 3-1 victory for England and also stretched Brearley's unbeaten run in charge on home soil to 19 Tests.