England Test Cricket Captains Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lancashire

Michael Atherton was an opening batsman and occasional spin bowler. He spent his whole playing career at Lancashire, from 1987 until 2001 and was a regular in the England test team from 1989 until 2001. Atherton captained England on 54 occasions, winning thirteen matches at a time when England were not at their strongest.

After leaving cricket, Atherton has taken up broadcasting, commentating on cricket for Channel 4 and Sky Sports.

Answer: Leicestershire

Gower is primarily associated with Leicestershire, playing for them from 1975 until 1989. He moved to Hampshire for the final three years of his playing career, retiring in 1993. Gower played in 117 test matches for England along with 114 one day international matches. He was an entertaining cricketer to watch although his air of not taking either himself or the game seriously didn't endear him to everyone.

Gower captained England thirty-two times in test matches, winning only five, losing eighteen and drawing nine. Although the bare statistics look bad, the opposition teams of the time were strong. The 5-0 loss to the West Indies in 1984 was a particular low point but when I mention that the opposition included Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge among the batsmen and the bowlers were Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh it becomes more understandable.

Gower was another player to turn to broadcasting following his retirement.

Answer: Somerset

Botham is primarily associated with Somerset, playing for the county from 1974 until 1986. He had shorter spells with Worcestershire (1987-1991) and Durham (1992/3). He was one of England's best all-rounders, known for both his bowling and explosive batting. Botham was called up to play for England in 1977 with his final match being in 1992.

Botham was appointed as Test captain in 1980 but the role did not suit his personality and he resigned in 1981 pre-empting the dismissal which was about to happen. Of his twelve tests in charge, Botham lost four and drew eight. Being relieved of the captaincy restored his form and Botham was instrumental in winning the Ashes (against Australia) in 1981.

Once his career in cricket was over, Botham turned to fund raising for charity, especially for leukaemia research, and brought himself to the attention of a wider public.

Answer: Essex

Another of the opening batsmen who have become England captains, Graham Gooch played for Essex from 1973 until 1997. He played his first test match for England in 1975 with his final one being in 1995 This included a period of three years when he (and several other players) were banned from playing for England as they had taken part in an unauthorised tour to South Africa in 1982. South Africa were ostracised at the time due to apartheid.

Despite this hiccup, Gooch became England's captain in 1988, captaining the team for the last time in 1993. He captained the team thirty-four times, winning ten games and losing twelve.

Answer: Yorkshire

Michael Vaughan played for Yorkshire from 1993 until 2009 where he was primarily an opening batsman with occasional spin bowling another string to his bow. His first test match for England came in 1999 and he also played in one day matches, including T20 internationals. Vaughan's final test match was in 2008. He played for England as an opener but also dropped down the order when necessary.

Vaughan became captain of the test team in 2003 and captained the side fifty-one times before his final match in 2008. His record is one of the best with twenty-six wins and only eleven losses. Vaughan will be remembered for being the man in charge when England managed to wrest the Ashes from the Australians in 2005 after they had been out of England's hands for nearly twenty years.

Answer: Sussex

Although born in South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England as his father was born in the UK, in Scotland. He began and ended his career with South African teams, but played (and captained) the county of Sussex in southern England. His county career lasted from 1966 until 1978. Greig was classed as an all-rounder, being able to bat and bowl with his skills covering both spin bowling and medium pace. He made his test debut for England in 1972 and his last appearance was in 1977.

Greig was made captain in 1975 but his reign was relatively short-lived, lasting only until 1977 and covering fourteen test matches, of which he won three and lost five. His removal as captain followed the revelation that he had been recruiting for Kerry Packer's breakaway cricket league, World Series Cricket. Following his retirement from cricket, Greig moved to Australia and died there in 2012.

Answer: Warwickshire

One of England's best fast bowlers, Willis spent the longest period of his domestic cricket career with Warwickshire, from 1972 until 1984. He was picked to play for England in 1971, finishing in 1984, with his one day international career beginning in 1973 and also finishing in 1984. Willis's most memorable match is probably the 1981 Headingly test match when he took eight wickets for 49 runs to skittle Australia for a total of 111, winning the match for England.

Willis was test captain from 1982 until 1984, playing eighteen matches in charge, winning seven and losing five. Another retired cricketer who moved into broadcasting, Willis was known for his forthright views castigating players, administrators and umpires.

Answer: Surrey

Alec Stewart emulated his father Mickey by playing for both Surrey and England, and surpassed him by playing in far more international matches. Alec's Surrey career lasted from 1981 until 2003 while his test match debut came in 1989. Stewart was something on an all-round being a batsman and wicket keeper - he was frequently picked for the latter role, in preference to specialist keepers, because of his batting prowess.

Alec captained England on fifteen occasions between 1992 and 2001, winning just four and losing eight. He retired from cricket in 2003. Unlike most of the other players covered in the quiz, Stewart did not turn to broadcasting but set up an agency to represent and promote players. He also remained involved with his county team of Surrey.

Answer: Kent

From a little further back in time, Colin Cowdrey was an elegant batsman who became the first man to play in one hundred tests. He was also a renowned slip fielder. He played for Kent from 1950 until 1976 and made his test debut for England in 1954 with his final match in 1975 with both his first and last match being against Australia.

Cowdrey became the test captain in 1959 against India and played against Pakistan in 1969 in his last match in the role when he was succeeded by Ted Dexter. His record as captain is 27 matches with eight wins, five losses and sixteen draws.

Answer: Middlesex

Strauss was a Middlesex player from 1998 until 2012 and was an opening batsman. He began playing for England in 2004, initially in partnership with Marcus Trescothick and then with Alastair Cook, who was destined to succeed him as England captain. Cook and Strauss established themselves as a prolific opening duo.

Strauss became captain in 2006 and continued in the role until his retirement in 2012, with a brief interruption when Kevin Pietersen was appointed. Strauss established a winning record, captaining in fifty tests, winning twenty-four and losing only eleven. Following his retirement in 2012, Strauss became director of cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and oversaw a shakeup of the game. He stepped down in 2015 due to his wife's death from cancer, but remained as a adviser until April 2023.