Tim Murtagh spoke to Ben Kosky of the ECB Reporters Network.
Middlesex’s four-day skipper Tim Murtagh wants to see the game ‘thinking more outside the box’ when it comes to entrusting specialist bowlers with the reins of captaincy.
Murtagh, who guided the Seaxes to four consecutive LV= Insurance County Championship wins last season and resumed control after Peter Handscomb’s departure in May, is one of only two seamers currently in charge of domestic red-ball sides.
The other is Yorkshire’s Steven Patterson, two years Murtagh’s junior at a sprightly 38, with teams at all levels traditionally reluctant to make appointments beyond their batting ranks or all-rounders, at a pinch.
However, the former Ireland seamer feels Pat Cummins’ elevation to lead Australia’s Test side last year – followed by a resounding Ashes triumph and a series victory in Pakistan – and Jasprit Bumrah taking stand-in charge of India in the ongoing Test at Edgbaston could trigger a change of direction.
“Cummins has done the job to good effect, so maybe people are now thinking more outside the box in terms of letting bowlers do the job,” said Murtagh.
“It might lead to a bit of a rethink, when people see how well that worked for Australia. It’s just always been a cricket thing and nobody’s really argued or thought differently.
“The idea was a batter’s workload for that period is lower and they’re not having to worry about bowling as well. But a bowler out on the field probably has a better feel for the game while it’s going on in terms of conditions, the wicket and tactics.
“Most captains I’ve played under would come to me and ask advice on stuff like that, so it’s not as though you’re not involved in the decision-making process. But I think bowlers are having more of an input.”
Since taking charge at Middlesex, Murtagh has been tasked with managing one of the most formidable seam units in Division Two.
In addition to the captain’s vast experience – with a track record of more than 900 first-class wickets – options include former Test quick Toby Roland-Jones, who has already claimed 36 Championship victims this season, the pacy Tom Helm and up-and-coming Ethan Bamber.
“It’s given me a different perspective,” said Murtagh. “You have to be constantly thinking of other people, how the game’s going and what you can do to change things.
“If you speak to the bowlers who have played while I’ve been captain, I hope they may feel I’ve had more empathy and understanding of what they’re going through because I’ve been through all of it during the last 20 years.
“There’s also that general feel of when a guy might be cooked, needs a break and whether there’s something you can change that’s going to help him in the middle of a tough spot.”
Middlesex have arguably been more open-minded than many counties as regards captaincy – Angus Fraser ended his career at Lord’s with a two-year stint in charge, while Steven Finn served as white-ball skipper before his move to Sussex at the end of last season.
Although the opportunity has come late in Murtagh’s career, the 40-year-old admits he now wonders whether he should have advertised his leadership credentials sooner.
“Finny did a good job as the T20 captain,” Murtagh added. “Gus was a bit before my time but I’d imagine his was a grumpy style of leadership!
“I look back a bit and think maybe I should have pushed my name forward when the job has come up over the 15 years I’ve been at the club.
“Maybe it would have detracted from my bowling at the time. Would it have been more difficult to juggle those tasks when I was younger and perhaps didn’t know my game quite so well?
“I can’t say, but I’ve really enjoyed the games I’ve done and I think you’ll see a few more bowlers doing it now.”
