Wicketkeeper plays an important role in innings not only with keeping behind the wickets but also the bat. These all-time best wicket-keepers in cricket history showed the world that they are not only good at keeping but can also bat with impressive strike rate and average making them the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen.
Most teams consider a keeper who could bat which gives more advantage to the team. Historically, players with a good balance of batting and fielding abilities have enjoyed considerable success at the highest level. Several of them have made an indelible mark on the game of cricket and are also regarded as unit leaders.
10 Best Wicket Keeper Batsmen of All Time
In cricket, a good wicketkeeper is necessary because he has the ability to completely alter the game behind the wickets. Let’s have a look at the greatest wicketkeepers ever not just with the gloves but with the bat also.
1) Mark Boucher – South Africa
Catches: 935 | Stumps: 45
Mark Boucher, the former South African wicketkeeper, holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket. He is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s greatest wicketkeepers.
Boucher’s illustrious career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which he was dismissed 555 times in 147 Test matches. He also set a new record with six catches in a single Test match. In One-Day Internationals, Boucher had 424 dismissals in 290 innings between 1998 and 2011.
2) Adam Gilchrist – Australia
Catches: 796 | Stumps: 92
Adam Craig Gilchrist, fondly known as “Gilly,” is a former Australian wicketkeeper and captain who boasts the world records for the most dismissals by an Australian in Test cricket and the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in One Day Internationals.
Gilchrist’s international test career, from 1996 to 2008, witnessed him taking 379 catches and making 37 stumps. He averaged an impressive 2.178 dismissals per match.
3) MS Dhoni – India
Catches: 577 | Stumps: 161
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, hailed as one of the greatest finishers in limited-overs cricket, stands as one of India’s finest one-day international captains.
MS Dhoni’s remarkable career featured 256 catches and 38 stumpings in Test cricket, with a record-breaking performance of six dismissals in a single Test match. In One-Day Internationals, Dhoni notched up 321 catches and 123 stumpings, earning him a reputation as one of the top ten all-time wicketkeepers.
4) Ian Healy – Australia
Catches: 560 | Stumps: 68
Ian Healy, widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers of his generation, was also a formidable batsman. He played a pivotal role in numerous Australian victories during the 1990s.
Healy claimed 366 catches and stumped 29 batsmen in Test cricket, averaging 1.763 dismissals per match. In One-Day Internationals, he took 194 catches and stumped 39 batsmen at a rate of 1.386 dismissals per match.
5) Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka
Catches: 584 | Stumps: 119
Kumar Sangakkara, both a wicketkeeper and skipper, is renowned for his prolific and sensible hitting. He holds the record for the most wickets by a wicketkeeper in One-Day Internationals.
Sangakkara’s career saw him dismiss 151 batsmen in 130 international matches, with 131 catches and 20 stumpings. In Test cricket, he was a dependable presence behind the stumps, amassing 353 dismissals. Today, he is considered one of the top ten best wicketkeepers in the world.
6) Brendon McCullum – New Zealand
Catches: 460 | Stumps: 26
Brendon McCullum, the only cricketer with two centuries and 2,000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals, left an indelible mark on cricket. In his international test career, spanning from 2004 to 2016, he was dismissed 179 times in 101 Test matches.
McCullum’s agility and skill resulted in 168 catches and 11 stumpings per match. His feats earned him a well-deserved spot among the top ten all-time wicketkeepers.
7) Jeffrey Dujon – West Indies
Catches: 450 | Stumps: 26
Jeffrey Dujon, a stalwart of the West Indian lineup, was dismissed 270 times in 81 Test matches from 1981 to 1991. He took 183 catches and made 21 stumpings at a rate of 1.228 dismissals per One-Day International.
Dujon’s impressive batting abilities added to his stature, amassing over 5000 runs in international cricket. He was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1989.
8) Moin Khan – Pakistan
Catches: 342 | Stumps: 93
Muhammad Moin Khan, a former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, served as the senior manager of the national team. He also held the position of head coach.
During his active international test career, which spanned 69 matches from 1990 to 2004, he dismissed 147 batsmen. Moin also had 287 dismissals in 219 One-Day International appearances, earning him a well-deserved spot among the all-time great wicketkeepers.
9) Andy Flower – Zimbabwe
Catches: 292 | Stumps: 41
Andy Flower’s bat expertise reverberated both on and off the field, establishing him as possibly the greatest batsman to emerge from Zimbabwe. As a former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman, he had 141 catches and 32 stumpings in one-day internationals.
Flower’s impact extended beyond his playing days; he became the full-time director of the England team, guiding them to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2010 and the Ashes series.
10) Rodney Marsh – Australia
Catches: 463 | Stumps: 16
Rodney William Marsh, the former Australian wicketkeeper, set a world record with 355 wicket-keeping dismissals in just 96 Tests during his career from 1970 to 1984.
Known for his partnership with Dennis Lillee, Marsh took 343 catches and stumped 12 batsmen, making him one of the most impactful wicketkeepers of his time. He also made a mark in One-Day Internationals with 124 dismissals.
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