Stats: Most catches as wicket-keeper

Here, we will have a look at the list of players who have taken the most number of catches as a wicket-keeper in both ODI and Test cricket. Proper understanding between a bowler and a wicket-keeper is necessary for the success of a bowler and a team.

ODI list:

Adam Gilchrist is the most successful keeper in ODIs

Player	Matches	Catches	Stumpings	Dismissals/Innings
Adam Gilchrist (AUS)	287	417	55	1.679
Mark Boucher (SA)	295	402	22	1.462
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)	370	346	88	1.360
Brendon Mccullum (NZ)	229	227	15	1.322
MS Dhoni (IND)	243	224	80	1.266

?1. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)

Gilchrist’s dismissals per innings ratio is astounding to say the least: 1.679. Credit should also go the Aussie pacers who have bowled immaculately resulting in him taking as many as 417 catches behind the stumps. It is also pretty surprising to notice that he has effected 55 stumpings. Considering he played ODI cricket alongside Shane Warne only for four years or so, it shows that Australia’s limited overs spinners have also chipped in regularly.?

?2. Mark Boucher (South Africa)

He is the only other keeper apart from Gilchrist to have taken 400 catches in the format, and, by the looks of it, these two might be the only ones present in that league for a long time to come. His dismissals per innings ratio stands at 1.462 and is next only to Gilchrist.

?3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka?)

Having kept wickets to the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath, Sanath Jayasuriya, etc., over the years, Sangakkara’s stumpings count stands at 88, which is the most for any keeper in ODIs. He is still playing, so expect a few more b?efore he hangs up his boots.

4. Brendon Mccullum (New Zealand)

New Zealand might have brought in Luke Ronchi now to take care of the keeping duties, but it was McCCullum who was doing a wonderful job for them over the years. And it is only natural that he has effected only 15 stumpings coming from a country which had only one quality spinner in the form of Daniel Vettori in his time.

?5. MS Dhoni (India)

With 80 stumpings in 243 matches already, MS Dhoni is giving Sangakkara a run for his money. With 224 catches and a dismissals per innings ratio of 1.266, he rounds off the top 5 list.

Test list:

Mark Boucher – The only keeper with more than 500 Test catches

Player	Matches	Catches	Stumpings	Dismissals/Innings
Mark Boucher (SA)	147	532	23	1.975
Adam Gilchrist (AUS)	96	379	37	2.178
Ian Healy (AUS)	119	366	29	1.763
Rod Marsh (AUS)	96	343	12	1.950
Jeff Dujon (WI)	81	265	5	1.800

?1. Mark Boucher (South Africa)

No other keeper has played close to 147 Test matches. Similarly, no other keeper has more than 500 catches registered to his name. If not for the eye injury, he would have at least touched 150. However, one thing is for sure: Boucher will remain at the top of that list for many years to come.

?2. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)

If it’s Gilchrist followed by Boucher in the ODIs, then it’s the opposite in Test cricket. No wonder these two have been the best in the business over the last two decades. Gilchrist’s dismissals per innings ratio of 2.178 is the best among the lot.

?3. Ian Healy (Australia)

Healy’s partnership with Warne on the pitch will always be remembered by the fans and experts. With 366 catches and 29 stumpings, he was voted as Australia’s keeper in the team of the 20th century, overcoming some stiff competition.

?4. Rod Marsh (Australia)

Another Aussie on the list, Rod Marsh’s 355 dismissals behind the stumps was a world record when he retired. ‘Caught Marsh bowled Lillee’ was actually recorded 95 times totally in Tests, which was also a record.

?5. Jeff Dujon (West Indies)

Just five of his 270 dismissals have been stumpings. And that is understandable considering the kind of fast bowlers that the Windies had at their disposal in the 80’s. Dujon, one of the most athletic wicket-keepers of his time, was more than handy with the bat.