The greatest wicketkeeper-batters ever changed cricket forever. In the past, keepers only needed good glovework. Today, they must also score big runs. Adam Gilchrist started this revolution with his aggressive batting. MS Dhoni became a master finisher and a legendary captain. Kumar Sangakkara ruled the game with his elegant strokeplay and massive run tallies. Other icons like AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher also redefined the role. Here are the five top wicketkeeper-batters to ever play cricket.
Top Wicketkeeper-Batters Ever (Top 5)
1. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist is one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters ever, with 96 Tests. He scored 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60. His highest score was 204 not out. He hit 17 centuries and 26 fifties. His strike rate was 81.95. He took 379 catches and 37 stumpings. In ODIs he played 287 matches. He scored 9,619 runs at an average of 35.89. He hit 16 centuries and 55 fifties.
His ODI strike rate was 96.94. He took 417 catches and 55 stumpings. In T20s he played 13 matches and scored 272 runs. In first-class cricket he scored 10,334 runs with 30 centuries. In List A cricket he scored 11,326 runs with 18 centuries. He also took 526 catches and 65 stumpings in List A.
2. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is one of the top wicketkeeper-batters to have played 90 Tests. He scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09. His highest score was 224. He hit 6 centuries and 33 fifties. He took 256 catches and 38 stumpings. In ODIs he played 350 matches. He scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57. He hit 10 centuries and 73 fifties.
His highest ODI score was 183 not out. He took 321 catches and 123 stumpings. That stumping record is the most in ODI history. In T20s he played 98 matches and scored 1,617 runs. In first-class cricket he scored 7,038 runs with 9 centuries. In List A cricket he scored 13,353 runs with 17 centuries. He also took 402 catches and 141 stumpings in List A.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara played 134 Tests. He scored 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40. His highest score was 319. He hit 38 centuries and 52 fifties. He took 182 catches and 20 stumpings. In ODIs he played 404 matches. He scored 14,234 runs at an average of 41.98. He hit 25 centuries and 93 fifties. He took 402 catches and 99 stumpings.
In T20s he played 56 matches and scored 1,382 runs. In first-class cricket he scored 20,911 runs with 64 centuries. In List A cricket he scored 19,456 runs with 39 centuries. He also took 518 catches and 124 stumpings in List A.
4. Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher played 147 Tests. He scored 5,515 runs at an average of 30.30. His highest score was 125. He hit 5 centuries and 35 fifties. He took 532 catches and 23 stumpings. That total of 555 dismissals is the most by any wicketkeeper in Test history. In ODIs he played 295 matches. He scored 4,686 runs at an average of 28.57. He hit 1 century and 26 fifties. He took 403 catches and 22 stumpings.
In T20s he played 25 matches and scored 268 runs. In first-class cricket he scored 8,803 runs with 10 centuries. In List A cricket he scored 6,218 runs. He also took 484 catches and 31 stumpings in List A. His total international dismissals of 998 is still a world record.
5. Andy Flower
Andy Flower played 63 Tests. He scored 4,794 runs at an average of 51.54. His highest score was 232 not out. He hit 12 centuries and 27 fifties. He took 151 catches and 9 stumpings. In ODIs he played 213 matches. He scored 6,786 runs at an average of 35.34. He hit 4 centuries and 55 fifties. He took 141 catches and 32 stumpings.
In first-class cricket he scored 16,379 runs with 49 centuries. In List A cricket he scored 12,511 runs with 12 centuries. He also took 254 catches and 48 stumpings in List A. His Test batting average above 50 is very rare for a keeper.
FAQs
Q. Who is considered one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters ever?
A. Adam Gilchrist is widely recognised for his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping skills.
Q. How many ODI runs did MS Dhoni score?
A. MS Dhoni scored 10,773 runs in 350 ODIs.
Q. How many Test runs did Kumar Sangakkara score?
A. Kumar Sangakkara scored 12,400 runs in 134 Test matches.
Q. What record did Mark Boucher hold in Test cricket?
A. Mark Boucher recorded 555 Test dismissals, the most by a wicketkeeper in Test history.
Q. What was Andy Flower’s Test batting average?
A. Andy Flower averaged 51.54 in Test cricket.
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