Ian Smith has named his Mount Rushmore of New Zealand and England Test cricket captains.
The former NZ keeper-batsman named two from his home country and two from England as the two nations prepare to do battle at Lord’s in the fist Test on June 2.
See Smith’s Mount Rushmore off ENG & NZ Test captains below:
4. Mike Brearley (ENG)
“He wasn’t the greatest opening batsman for England, in fact his numbers weren’t that flash at all.
“But his captaincy record is very good.
“31 Tests in charge, 18 wins, four losses, nine draws.
“This bloke was a fixer, his name - Mike Brearley.”
3. Geoff Howarth (NZ)
“He was the best captain I played under.
“He was quite innovative and in charge of a New Zealand team that started to make inroads overseas, particularly in Australia.
“One of the great modern-day thinkers in the game.”
2. Andrew Strauss (ENG)
1. Stephen Fleming (NZ)
“The winningest captain that New Zealand has ever had.
“80 Test matches in charge, 28 victories, 27 losses, 25 draws. Pretty good damn ratio in the environment we introduced our Test teams into.
“Great thinker as well, terrific left-hand opening batsman.
“He had all the characteristics of a good leader.
“Without a doubt for me, New Zealand’s best Test cricket captain.”
Smith’s producer Logan Swinkels also put forward his Top 4:
4. Andrew Strauss (ENG)
Captain from 2006 to 2012. 50 matches. 24 wins, 11 losses and 15 draws.
3. Michael Vaughan (ENG)
Captain from 2003 to 2008. 51 matches for a 50% winning rate.
2. Stephen Fleming (NZ)
“I idolised Fleming.”
1. Kane Williamson (NZ)
“He helped bring us that World Test Championship.”
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