Top 5 wicket keepers with most catches in test history

Top 5 wicket keepers with most catches in test history: Wicket keeping is an important element in the game of cricket, but it can be easily misunderstood as an easy task. But a single mistake in that area can cost a match for the team. A wicket keeper also keeps the morale of the team high and encouraging the bowlers and fielders all the time in the field. Though in the 1970’s and 80’s the prime job of a wicket keeper was to keep wickets. But with emergence of players like Adam Gilchrist, MS Dhoni, Ab DeVilliers and several others, the scenario has completely changed. A highly skilled wicket keeper with good batting ability is always an asset for team. So, here we look upon to the list remarkable wicket keepers who have taken the most number of catches in test cricket history. 1. Mark Boucher (South Africa): Mark Boucher dives to take a catch (Photo Source: Gallo Images) Mark Boucher is regarded as the one of the greatest wicket keeper’s South Africa has ever produced. He made his debut on 17th October 1997 against Pakistan and since then till the time Boucher retired remained the first choice wicket keeper for South Africa in all the format’s. He has 555 dismissals to his name, which is the most by any wicket keeper in test cricket history. Out of the 555 dismissal 532 were caught by his gloves which is another record in itself. He was very unlucky to get hit on his left eye by bails while playing a warm up game against Somerset. This injury eventually forced him to retire from all forms of cricket. 2. Adam Gilchrist (Australia): Adam Gilchrist appeals for a lbw (Photo Source: Getty Images) Adam Gilchrist was an aggressive opening batsman and an extraordinary wicket keeper for Australia. Adam Gilchrist made his debut in the year 1999 against Pakistan. His explosive batting combined with sharp wicket keeping skills made an important asset for Australia. He was the part of the most dominating Australian team ever. Adam Gilchrist holds numerous records to his name, and one them is, being the wicket keeper with second most number of dismissals. Out of the 416 dismissals he has in his career, 379 were caught by him. 3. Ian Healy (Australia): Ian Healy makes a run out (Photo Source: Getty Images) Ian Healy is number three in this list of wicket keeper’s with most catches in test cricket history. He took 366 catches in 119 test matches in his career spanning more than 10 years. He was a regular member of the Australian team in the 1980’s. Ian Healy was the back bone of the Australian team which was not at its best during that time. At the time of his retirement he held the record for the most number of dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was a useful lower order batsman who could score useful runs for his team. 4. Rodney Marsh (Australia): Rodney Marsh waits for the ball to make a run out (Photo Source: Getty Images) Rodney Marsh is a former Australian wicket keeper. Rod Marsh was heavily built but had quick reflexes and covered lot of ground. He took 343 catches in the 96 test matches he played for Australia. He is known as a very colorful character both on and off the field. Though he was criticized and dubbed as “Iron Gloves” for his sloppy glove work at the beginning of his career, he gradually improved his skills and became on the finest wicket keepers in the world. 5. Jeff Dujon (West Indies): Jeff Dujon makes a dive to make a run out (Photo Source: Getty Images) Jeff Dujon was a star of the all-conquering West Indies side for more than a decade. He played 81 tests and took 265 catches. The specialist wicket keeper kept wicket for the fiercest fast bowlers in the world of that time, leaping and diving to take stunning one handed catches. One interesting fact about Jeff Dujon was that, he never featured in losing series throughout his career for West Indies. He is the one of the finest wicket keeper West Indies has ever produced. *All stats updated till 10th December 2014.