Cricket Stats: most catches by a keeper in tests

The job of the wicket-keeper is not only standing behind the wicket and waiting to catch the ball. A wicket-keeper is a pivotal member of the squad and stays behind the striker's wicket either to lead the team's fielding or run out the batsman or stamp them or take a catch. Being a wicket-keeper is not easy and we have seen there's a lot of times. Many wicket-keepers have crooked fingers. Danny Morrison, the former New Zealand cricketer's all 10 fingers are broken. The role and the journey of a wicket-keeper are tough but the end is always worth it when they get the batsmen out. According to cricket stats let's check out most catches by a keeper in tests.

Read also: Most Sixes in Test Cricket

1. Mark Boucher

The former cricketer of the South African cricket team is the number 1 wicket-keeper with the most number of catches in tests. In 1997 he made his test debut against Pakistan as a replacement of Dave Richardson. He became the fastest cricketer to take a hundred dismissals and also appeared in consecutive 75 test matches. He played in 281 innings and dismissed 532 times as a wicketkeeper.

2. Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist is undoubtedly one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of cricket. He did his job on the field like a pro, be it batting or wicket-keeping. During his time, he was one of the biggest assets of the Australian Cricket team. He appeared in a total of 192 innings and took 379 wickets as a wicketkeeper.

3. Ian Healy

One of the greatest wicket keepers in cricket history is Ian Healy. He was probably the most energetic cricketer of his time. His performance on the field as a middle-order batsman and as a wicketkeeper was great. He did contribute runs for his team in dire situations but he was recognized more for his excellent wicket-keeping skills and glove work. Ian definitely put a lot of hard work and dedication to to be one of the greatest wicket keepers. He picked up 366 wickets as a wicketkeeper in test in 224 innings.

4. Rod Marsh

Rod Marsh's start to test career was a bit controversial. He made his debut in 1970 and played till 1983-84. After playing 96 test matches he made a world record of taking 355 wickets as a wicketkeeper. He was an important player of the Australian team in the 1972 tour of England. He also became the first Australian wicketkeeper who scored a century in a Test match against England in the 1977 test against England. In a total of 182 innings picked up 3:43 test wickets as a wicketkeeper.

5. Jeff Dujon

Jeff Dujon is a former West Indies cricketer. He was the former wicket-keeper and lower-order batsman for the West Indies cricket team. He made his test debut in 1981 against Australia. Only in 19 years of age he played 200 first-class matches and picked up 447 wickets as well. After his debut against Australia, he played 150 innings and picked up 265 test wickets as a wicketkeeper.

6. Brad Haddin

Brad Haddin, the former wicket-keeper of the Australian cricket team made his test debut in 2008 against West Indies. He has also been the vice-captain of the Australian team. He was the wicket-keeper of the Australia A team for most of his career but was chosen into the main squad as a backup of Adam Gilchrist. Haddin definitely saved the team with his wicket-keeping skills many times but also contributed runs every time the team needed. He made his third century in the 2010-11 Ashes which help the team to a lead in the first innings. In a career span of about 7 years, he played in 128 test innings and picked up 262 wickets as a wicketkeeper.

7. BJ Walting

The former cricketer of the New Zealand International team made his test debut in 2009 against Pakistan. After his excellent performance in domestic cricket, he got selected for the Test squad against Pakistan by replacing Peter Fulton. The 2012-13 test against South Africa was a difficult series for the Kiwi batsman but Walting rose to the situation and scored 168 runs. He continued his batting performance like this simultaneously with his wicket keeping. He dismissed his 100th wicket as a wicketkeeper in the 1st test against Sri Lanka in 2015-16 Sri Lanka's tour. The former Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman was an integral part of the world test Championship final as well. He played 127 innings and picked up 257 test wickets as a wicketkeeper.

8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is undoubtedly the best wicket-keeper of the Indian cricket team ever. The contribution of the former captain is immense. Be it captaining, batting, or wicket keeping he did everything in the best possible way and brought out the team's strengths at every moment. He made his test debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka and got selected in the team by replacing Dinesh Kartik after his great ODI performance against Sri Lanka and got selected as the team's wicket-keeper. He played aggressively made a half-century in his second innings and saved the team to set a target of 436. MSD is the first Indian wicketkeeper who completed 4000 test runs. He is also the highest wicket-taker in all-time dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper. In a test career span of about 9 years, he played in 166 innings and picked up 256 wickets.

9. Alan Knott

Alan Knott is one of the former English cricketers who made his test debut in 1967 against Pakistan and played till 1981. He was confirmed as the team's wicket-keeper batsman in the 1968-69 test series against Pakistan. In that series itself, he scored two half-centuries. One of the half-centuries was only four runs away from a century where he made 96* because the match was abruptly ended due to a pitch invasion by Pakistani fans. He retired in 1981 and before that he played 174 innings and picked up 250 test wickets as a wicketkeeper.

10. Matt Prior

The former cricketer of the England cricket team made his test debut in 2007 against West Indies. He was definitely a great wicket-keeper but his batting as an aggressive cricketer was great as well. His test debut was very dreamy and the best cricketer could ask for. His test debut score was 126 and became the first wicketkeeper of the England cricket team to score a century in his debut match. In the initial days of his career, his wicket-keeping skills were criticized even after successful series. He was even dropped out of the team but he again returned in the 2008 series against India. Matt mostly played at the number 6 position and continued to bat well and scored for the team. He retired in 2014 and during his test career, he played in 146 test innings and dismissed 243 wickets as a wicket-keeper.