ICC World Cup 2019: Team-wise wicket-keeper rating for the tournament

Wicket-keeping is one of the most rugged jobs in the sport of cricket. There is no scope of slackening and a wicket-keeper must have a hundred per cent concentration for every ball. It is important for them to duck every ball to analyze the bounce and the line which can be quite exhaustive physically. Moreover, while keeping to a fast bowler, a keeper needs to run up to the stumps almost every ball. Thus, it is one of the jobs in cricket that demands great skill.

There is absolutely no room for error and every mistake committed by a keeper is remembered by the fans for ages. Hence, keeping in a tournament like the World Cup is an added responsibility and the pressure is higher. To make things more interesting, we’ve decided to rate each of the first-choice wicket-keepers based on their skill, ability to make adjustments to the field, assisting the captain with the DRS calls and a few other factors.

Here are the ratings for each of the wicket-keeper:

1. Mushfiqur Rahim – 7/10

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been around for quite some while now. The former skipper might be one of the most important members in the middle-order for his team. But if you consider his wicket-keeping skills, that is something that one wouldn’t want to rate highly.

Rahim often commits silly mistakes behind the stumps and isn’t someone who has got the fastest hands. There are several occasions where he failed to read the ball and ended up spilling easy catches. Moreover, Rahim isn’t someone you’d want to trust with the DRS calls as he’s got those terribly wrong in the past.

2. Shai Hope – 7.5/10

While he might not be the best keeper of spin bowling, Shai Hope doesn’t have these issues in the tournament this year. There aren’t many predominant turners of the ball in the Windies squad and he will be standing away from the stumps most of the times keeping to the fast bowlers. Hope is someone who is really agile and can put in the dives at full stretch with ease.

In his short career at the highest level, he has taken some really good catches and negates the swing factor quite well. Shai Hope is usually good with the DRS calls as well and gives his captain good suggestions. Hence, he gets a rating of 7.5 for his craft behind the stumps.

3. Tom Latham – 7.5/10

Over the years, Tom Latham has risen up the ranks and is one of the important members in the New Zealand team now. He is someone who can bat at any position and is a great strength to his side with the bat. Since he is so good with the bat, his wicket-keeping skills often go unnoticed.

Latham is one of the most clinical glovesmen behind the stumps. He has got a safe pair of hands and pockets good catches. Despite not being one of those specialist keepers who have kept right from a young age, the 27-year-old has adapted to the role really well. However, he struggles at times while standing up to the stumps and thus loses a few points.

 4. Alex Carey – 7/10

Since the retirement of Adam Gilchrist, several wicket-keepers have donned the gloves for Australia behind the stumps. Brad Haddin was the trusted man for the World Cup 2011 and 2015. But now that he is not around anymore, Australia has got Alex Carey to fulfill the responsibilities for them. Carey will be making his debut in the tournament this year.

In the last two years, he has been one of the best performers at the Big Bash League (BBL). Thus, he managed to earn his spot in the team ditching the experienced Matthew Wade. Alex Carey has got young legs and shuffles around quickly. Given his inexperience playing in such a huge tournament, there could be a few nerves which could affect his performance.

5. Jos Buttler – 8/10

England vice-captain Jos Buttler is possibly the most important member of the team for this World Cup. He is capable of taking the attack to the opposition and subjecting them to great pressure. Moreover, he can also bat with the tail and is perhaps one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the world at the moment.

Even though they’ve got someone like Jonny Bairstow in their ranks, Jos Buttler has been the preferred choice behind the stumps. While he might not be a technically correct wicket-keeper, Buttler has got very quick hands and moves nicely in the direction of the ball. But, he struggles at times standing up to the stumps when the ball is bowled down the leg side.

6. Kusal Perera – 6.5/10

Kusal Perera might be highly inconsistent. But he is usually unstoppable once he gets his eye in. The left-hander, who has played 88 ODIs thus far in his career, is yet to unleash his full potential. Perera just scored 2283 runs at an average of 29 and needs to improve upon his consistency. It is this potential, that is threatening which helps him hold onto his place in the side.

He could play a massive role for his team if he makes use of his talent. While he draws similarities to Sanath Jayasuriya with his batting style, his wicket-keeping is something that is not so inspiring. Perera isn’t completely the best behind the stumps and there is still a lot of learning ahead for him. But as he gets more and more exposure to the international stage, he is bound to get better.

7. Sarfaraz Ahmed – 7.5/10

Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed is a great captain for his side. He generally stays calm during the pressure situation and can absorb a lot of pressure. The wicket-keeper batsman is excellent at rotating the strike and is an anchor who holds the middle order together. While he is good with the bat, his skill with the gloves is not something that is encouraging.

Sarfaraz Ahmed does not have the safest hands behind the stumps. He is a slow mover and thus drops many sharp catches in the process. Moreover, you don’t see him diving around too often. But at the same time, he is the best option available and tries to deliver to the best of his abilities.

8. Mohammad Shahzad – 6/10

Mohammad Shahzad has been the first-choice wicket-keeper for Afghanistan for quite some time now. Even though there are better options available behind the stumps, it is his batting that has helped him retain his spot in the side. Shahzad is an extremely aggressive opener and likes taking the attack to the opposition. Single-handedly, he has the ability to take the game away from the opposition.

But the same can’t be said about his wicket-keeping. Mohammad Shahzad is one of the slowest behind the stumps and has got extremely slow reflexes. He often drops easiest of catches and isn’t someone who covers the ground quickly to take high catches. Hence, he gets the least rating amongst all the wicket-keepers.

9. Quinton de Kock – 9/10

Quinton de Kock is one of the biggest strengths of the South African side. Opening the innings for his team, he provides his side with good starts more often than not. He is highly skillful both with the willow as well as the gloves. De Kock is one of the most competent and technically correct wicket-keepers around.

Almost everything he does behind the stumps in right. His head position, balance and estimating line, length, and bounce – everything is near perfect. Furthermore, he is extremely agile and flexible which makes possible for him to grab some unbelievable catches. He’s got fast hands behind the stumps and can affect a stumping in a split second.

10. MS Dhoni – 9.5/10

MS Dhoni might be at the twilight of his career. His batting might not be as good as it was, say seven or eight years ago. He is ageing quickly but none of these factors has come in the way of his wicket-keeping. Just like wine, he keeps getting better behind the stumps catching everyone in awe of his skill.

His unorthodox technique has worked wonders for him and wicket-keepers all around the world are trying to emulate him. The world might have never witnessed a better wicket-keeper off spin bowling. He is lightning fast with his glovework and affects a stumping in those kinds of situations where no one else can do it. Although not the best, he has enough capability to do the job while keeping to fast bowlers. Dhoni, without a second thought, has got to be the best wicket-keeper playing this tournament.