Top 5 Most Successful England Test Captains

The England Cricket Team is one of the pioneers of Test cricket, with a rich history that dates all the way back to 1877 when they played the very first Test match against Australia.

Over the decades, England has been home to some incredible cricketers — and just as importantly, some exceptional leaders. A strong, tactical, and resilient captain is often the backbone of a successful Test side, and England has had its fair share of such figures.

In fact, five players have had the honor — and challenge — of captaining England in more than 50 Test matches. Some thrived under the pressure and led the team to historic victories, while others struggled to find consistent success.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top five most successful England captains in Test cricket — the ones who not only wore the armband for a long time, but also delivered results when it mattered the most.

Top 5 Most successful England captains in Test cricket

5. Ben Stokes - 22 wins

Ben Stokes takes the fifth spot on this list. Since becoming England’s full-time Test captain in 2022, the all-rounder has led the team in 36 matches, securing 22 wins and suffering 13 losses, with just one draw. His bold and aggressive leadership style has brought a fresh energy to the team and transformed England’s approach to Test cricket.

4. Andrew Strauss – 24 wins

Former England batter Andrew Strauss had a significant impact as captain in Test cricket. Between 2006 and 2012, he led England in 50 Test matches, guiding the team to 24 wins. Under his leadership, England also suffered 11 defeats, while 15 matches ended in a draw. Over the course of his career, Strauss played 100 Test matches, leaving a lasting legacy in the longest format of the game.

3. Alastair Cook – 24 wins

Former England opener Alastair Cook captained the national team in 59 Test matches during his career. Under his leadership, England won 24 games, lost 22, and drew 13. Cook played a total of 161 Tests, finishing as England’s all-time leading run-scorer at the time. His record was later surpassed by Joe Root.

2. Michael Vaughan – 26 wins

Next up is Michael Vaughan, who led the England Test team from 2003 to 2008. During his captaincy, he was in charge for 51 Test matches, guiding the team to 26 wins, 11 losses, and 14 draws. Vaughan is widely credited for bringing a new level of confidence and resilience to the side during his time at the helm.

1. Joe Root – 27 wins

Joe Root is England’s most successful Test captain. He led the team in 64 matches between 2017 and 2022. Under his leadership, England won 27 Tests, lost 26, and drew 11. Root stepped down as captain in April 2022.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports