Kraigg Brathwaite captained West Indies in as many Tests as Garfield Sobers – but which 3 other Windies captains did it more?

Brian Lara in Tests
Brian Lara is among West Indies' most capped Test captains.

Roston Chase has been named as the West Indies new Test cricket captain, set to take over the role from Kraigg Brathwaite who stepped down at the end of March.

With upcoming series against Australia and India, Chase will have his work cut for him as he returns to the red-ball format he last played in March 2023. In total, Chase has played 49 Tests. He averages 26.33 with the bat and 46 with the ball.

Leading the West Indies is not an easy task given that they are a regional team rather than a national one. As much as they are a unit filled with tradition and pride, bridging national agendas and creating unity can be tricky.

So, who are the players with the most games in charge of the Windies and what are their records like? Let’s look at where the departing Brathwaite fits in and what milestones Chase will need to hit if he is to make it onto this list.

7. Daren Sammy – 30 Tests (26.66% win percentage)

Daren Sammy’s tenure as West Indies Test captain was a period of rebuilding for the team. Leading from 2010 to 2014, Sammy’s leadership was more about uniting a divided squad rather than overwhelming success on the field.

His 26.66% win-rate may seem modest, but his impact was measured beyond the statistics, especially in terms of team morale. Sammy was more successful in white-ball cricket where he is the only skipper to have won two T20I World Cups.

He is the current coach of the West Indies limited overs side, and he was the first player from St Lucia to play international cricket.

6. Jason Holder – 37 Tests as West Indies captain (29.72% win percentage)

Taking over the captaincy in 2015 at just 23, Barbados’ Jason Holder was one of the youngest captains in West Indies history.

Holder’s 37 Tests as skipper were marked by his personal brilliance with both bat and ball, but his win rate of 29.72% reflected the team’s struggles to compete consistently against top sides.

Also read: Is there space for Stuart Broad and James Anderson – or just one – in England’s best Test XI since 1985?

5. Garfield Sobers – 39 Tests as West Indies captain (23.07% win percentage)

Another skipper from Barbados, Sir Garfield Sobers is an all-time great in cricket history, but his record as West Indies captain is often overshadowed by his individual brilliance.

Captaining between 1965 and 1972, Sobers led the team in 39 Tests, but his win percentage of 23.07% was a reflection of the challenging transition phase the team was undergoing. While Sobers didn’t win a lot of Tests, he also didn’t lose that many with more than half of his games in charge ending as draws.

4. Kraigg Brathwaite – 39 Tests as West Indies captain (25.64% win percentage)

Barbados’ Kraigg Brathwaite’s tenure as captain saw West Indies focus on discipline and grit. While his personal performances with the bat remained steady, his 25.64% win-rate in 39 Tests is a reminder of the tough task of leading a team that has struggled to maintain consistency.

Still, Braithwaite steps down as the fourth most capped Windies skipper of all time with only three of the biggest names of Caribbean and world cricket ahead of him on the skipper’s list.

3. Brian Lara – 47 Tests as West Indies captain (21.27% win percentage)

Arguably the most talented West Indian batsman of his era, and perhaps ever, Brian Lara’s leadership journey was turbulent. Leading the side in 47 Tests, Lara’s win percentage of 21.27% is a stark contrast to his personal batting brilliance.

His tenure saw the team struggle against stronger sides. It was often felt that Lara expected his players to deliver at his level, something which to most cricketers was simply not possible.

2. Viv Richards – 50 Tests as West Indies captain (54% win percentage)

Sir Viv Richards remains one of the most successful West Indies captains of all time. His aggressive leadership style and formidable batting made him a leader who commanded respect.

With a 54.00% win-percentage in 50 Tests, Richards led the team during one of its golden periods when they were blessed with an abundance of both batting and bowling skills.

1. Clive Lloyd – 74 Tests as West Indies captain (48.64% win percentage)

The most iconic West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd’s era was synonymous with dominance. Leading the team in 74 Tests, Lloyd’s side was an unstoppable force, with a 48.64% win-rate.

His leadership set the standard for generations that followed. While Lloyd’s win percentage may not have been as high as he wanted, he lost very few games. A loss percentage of just 16.21 highlights the fact that Test ricket was played differently in Lloyd’s era when ensuring that you didn’t lose was first priority – and then trying to win.

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