Who are the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket history? Mark Boucher, Adam Gilchrist, and MS Dhoni are the greatest wicketkeepers across formats by sheer numbers. Rod Marsh, Ian Healy, Godfrey Evans, and Les Ames are some of the greatest keepers this game has ever seen.

Wicketkeeping has always been an integral part of cricket, and the role of a wicketkeeper is not limited to just catching the ball behind the stumps. Keepers play a vital role in the game by providing support to the bowlers, making crucial decisions, and contributing to the team’s overall performance. Over the years, cricket has seen some of the greatest wicketkeepers who have left a significant impact on the game.

Also Read: Greatest 155 Men’s Cricketers of All-Time, Greatest 76 Women’s Cricketers of All-Time, Top 50 Greatest West Indies Cricketers of All Time: The Complete List (2023), Top 55 All-Rounders in Cricket History List (The Complete Guide)

Key Takeaways

• Mark Boucher has the most dismissals in cricket across formats (998 dismissals) followed by Adam Gilchrist (905), and MS Dhoni (829).
• MS Dhoni has the most stumpings in cross (195) followed by Kumar Sangakkara (139), and Romesh Kaluwitharana (101).
• Australia (4) has the highest number of keepers in the Top 15 of the most wicketkeeper dismissal list followed by West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan (2), and India, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. (1)

What Makes Wicketkeepers Valuable in Cricket?

The ranking of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket is a topic of much debate among cricket fans and experts. However, most agree that the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher, and Kumar Sangakkara were some of the best wicketkeepers the game has ever seen.

Wicketkeepers are crucial to any team. Whether it is saving 20-30 runs behind the stumps every match, impacting DRS decisions, inflicting stumpings, or providing live commentary, they are always in the center of the action.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the topic of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket and explore the skills and qualities that make a great wicketkeeper. We will also take a closer look at some of the most iconic wicketkeepers in the game’s history and analyze their performance and contributions to the sport.

Note: Although the likes of Rishabh Pant will go do as one of the greatest Test wicketkeeper batters, in this list, we only look at wicketkeeping stats alone.

Evolution of Wicketkeeping

Wicketkeeping has come a long way since the inception of cricket. The role of a wicketkeeper has evolved from being just a mere catcher behind the stumps to a crucial player in the team. Here are some key highlights of the evolution of wicketkeeping in cricket:

• Early Days: In the early days of cricket, wicketkeeping was not a specialized role. Any player in the team could take up the role of a wicketkeeper. The gloves used by wicketkeepers were just simple leather gloves with no padding.
• Growth of Wicketkeeping: As cricket evolved, the role of wicketkeeping became more specialized. The wicketkeeper became the primary catcher behind the stumps, and the gloves used by them evolved accordingly. The gloves were padded to protect the wicketkeeper’s hands from the impact of the ball.
• Invention of Leg Guards: In the late 19th century, leg guards were invented to protect the wicketkeeper’s legs from the impact of the ball. The first leg guards were made of cane and had no padding. Later, the leg guards were made of leather and were padded to provide better protection.
• Modern-Day Wicketkeeping: In modern-day cricket, wicketkeeping has become a specialized role. Wicketkeepers are not only expected to be good catchers but also good batsmen. The gloves used by wicketkeepers are highly padded, and the leg guards are also heavily padded to provide maximum protection. Wicketkeepers are also expected to be agile and quick on their feet to be able to move quickly to catch the ball.

The evolution of wicketkeeping in cricket has been a gradual process that has seen the role of the wicketkeeper become more specialized and crucial to the team’s success. The modern-day wicketkeeper is not just a catcher behind the stumps but also a valuable batsman and an agile player.

Greatest Wicketkeepers in Cricket History

Over the years, there have been many great wicketkeepers who have left their mark on the game. Here are some of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket history.

Note: The Top 15 keepers are based on most dismissals across ODI, Test, and T20 cricket. Godfrey Evans and Les Ames are added in this list not based on the numbers but based on their keeping skills.

17. Godfrey Evans (219 Dismissals, 173 Catches, 46 Stumpings)

• Country: England
• Years Played: 1946-1969 (Tests), 1939-1967 (First Class)

• Tests: 173 Catches, 46 Stumpings
• First Class: 816 Catches, 215 Stumpings (1031 Dismissals)

Godfrey Evans was an exceptional English cricketer, renowned for his agile wicketkeeping skills and aggressive batting, making him one of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket history. ESPNCricinfo describes him as the “arguably the greatest wicketkeeper the game has ever seen.”

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16. Les Ames (107 Dismissals, 74 Catches, 43 Stumpings)

• Country: England
• Years Played: 1929-1939 (Tests), 1926-1951 (First Class)

• Tests: 74 Catches, 43 Stumpings
• First Class: 703 Catches, 418 Stumpings (1121 Dismissals)

Les Ames, with his unbeatable wicketkeeping skills and powerful batting, was a true cricketing gem, lighting up the game like few others of his era. With 37248 first class runs and a mammoth 102 centuries, he was also one of cricket’s greatest keeper-batsmen.

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15. Jos Buttler (433 Dismissals, 388 Catches, 45 Dismissals)

• Country: England
• Years Played: 2011-

• Tests: 153 Catches, 1 Stumping (154 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 204 Catches, 34 Stumpings (238 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 56 Catches, 10 Stumpings (66 Dismissals)

Who can forget that run out in the 2019 World Cup Final? He has been one of the faces of England’s rise in the limited over format.

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14. Moin Khan (434 Dismissals, 341 Catches, 93 Dismissals)

• Country: Pakistan
• Years Played: 1990-2004

• Tests: 128 Catches, 20 Stumpings (148 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 214 Catches, 73 Stumpings (287 Dismissals)

Moin Khan brought an electrifying energy to the field with his nimble wicketkeeping and aggressive batting. Was a pivotal figure in Pakistani cricket during the 90s.

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13. Mushfiqur Rahim (440 Dismissals, 342 Catches, 98 Stumpings)

• Country: Bangladesh
• Years Played: 2005-2023

• Tests: 110 Catches, 15 Stumpings (125 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 214 Catches, 53 Stumpings (267 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 42 Catches, 30 Stumpings (72 Dismissals)

One of the Fab 5 of Bangladesh cricket, his energy behind the stumps was infectious. With Liton Das on the rise, the responsibility is slowly transitioning to the next generation.

Also Read: The Fab 5 of Bangladesh Cricket

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12. Brendon McCullum (453 Dismissals, 419 Catches, 34 Dismissals)

• Country: New Zealand
• Years Played: 2002-2016

• Tests: 198 Catches, 11 Stumpings (209 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 262 Catches, 15 Stumpings (277 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 36 Catches, 8 Stumpings (41 Dismissals)

*Note: At the back half of his career, McCullum would play as a specialist fielder due to injury issues and the introduction of Luke Ronchi & Tom Latham in the New Zealand setup.

Brendon McCullum is a legendary New Zealand cricketer. He was admired for his aggressive batting style and dynamic fielding abilities.

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11. Kamran Akmal (453 Dismissals, 368 Catches, 85 Dismissals)

• Country: Pakistan
• Years Played: 2002-2017

• Tests: 184 Catches, 22 Stumpings (206 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 157 Catches, 31 Stumpings (188 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 28 Catches, 32 Stumpings (60 Dismissals)

Although his drops are often talked about, he was an integral part of Pakistan’s core in the 2000s.

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8. Denesh Ramdin (468 Dismissals, 429 Catches, 39 Dismissals)

• Country: West Indies
• Years Played: 2005-2019

• Tests: 205 Catches, 12 Stumpings (217 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 181 Catches, 7 Stumpings (188 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 43 Catches, 20 Stumpings (63 Dismissals)

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9. Jeffrey Dujon (474 Dismissals, 448 Catches, 26 Stumpings)

• Country: West Indies
• Years Played: 1981-1991

• Tests: 267 Catches, 5 Stumpings (272 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 183 Catches, 21 Stumpings (204 Dismissals)

Jeffrey Dujon is a former West Indian cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. He played for the West Indies from 1981 to 1991 and was known for his excellent wicketkeeping skills. Dujon took 267 catches and 5 stumpings in his Test career.

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8. Brad Haddin (474 Dismissals, 449 Catches, 25 Stumpings)

• Country: Australia
• Years Played: 2001-2015

• Tests: 262 Catches, 8 Stumpings (270 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 170 Catches, 11 Stumpings (181 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 17 Catches, 6 Stumpings (23 Dismissals)

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7. Rod Marsh (479 Dismissals, 463 Catches, 16 Stumpings)

• Country: Australia
• Years Played: 1970-1984

• Tests: 343 Catches, 12 Stumpings (355 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 120 Catches, 4 Stumpings (124 Dismissals)

Rod Marsh is a former Australian cricketer who is considered to be one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. He played for Australia from 1970 to 1984 and was known for his excellent wicketkeeping skills. Marsh took 355 catches and 12 stumpings in his Test career.

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6. Quinton de Kock (521 Dismissals, 480 Catches, 41 Stumpings)

• Country: South Africa
• Years Played: 2012-present

• Tests: 221 Catches, 11 Stumpings (232 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 183 Catches, 14 Stumpings (197 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 76 Catches, 16 Stumpings (92 Dismissals)

*Note: Quinton de Kock has retired from Test Cricket but is still active in the limited overs format. Expect him to rise up the list.

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5. Ian Healy (628 Dismissals, 560 Catches, 68 Stumpings)

• Country: Australia
• Years Played: 1988-1999

• Tests: 366 Catches, 29 Stumpings (395 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 194 Catches, 39 Stumpings (233 Dismissals)

Ian Healy is a former Australian cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. He played for Australia from 1988 to 1999 and was known for his excellent wicketkeeping skills. Healy took 366 catches and 29 stumpings in his Test career.

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4. Kumar Sangakkara (678 Dismissals, 539 Catches, 139 Stumpings)

• Country: Sri Lanka
• Years Played: 2000-2015

• Tests: 182 Catches, 20 Stumpings (202 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 402 Catches, 99 Stumpings (501 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 25 Catches, 20 Stumpings (45 Dismissals)

Kumar Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. His glasses and consistent presence was a key part in Sri Lanka’s domination.

*Note: Sangakkara switched regularly from keeper to fielder. Hence, his detailed Test, ODIs, and T20Is record show more catches then his overall Test catch record of 539

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3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (829 Dismissals, 634 Catches, 195 Stumpings)

• Country: India
• Years Played: 2004-2019

• Tests: 256 Catches, 38 Stumpings (294 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 321 Catches, 123 Stumpings (454 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 57 Catches, 34 Stumpings (91 Dismissals)

M.S. Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. He is also considered to be one of the best wicketkeepers in the world. And Dhoni’s stumpings are the best in the world, aren’t they?

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2. Adam Gilchrist (905 Dismissals, 813 Catches, 92 Stumpings)

• Country: Australia
• Years Played: 1996-2008

• Tests: 379 Catches, 37 Stumpings (416 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 417 Catches, 55 Stumpings (472 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 17 Catches, 0 Stumpings (17 Dismissals)

Adam Gilchrist is widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. He played for Australia from 1996 to 2008 and was known for his aggressive batting style. Gilchrist was a reliable wicketkeeper and took 905 catches and 37 stumpings in his career. Changed the way the wicketkeeper’s role was viewed.

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1. Mark Boucher (998 Dismissals, 952 Catches, 46 Stumpings)

• Country: South Africa
• Years Played: 1997-2012

• Tests: 532 Catches, 23 Stumpings (555 Dismissals)
• ODIs: 403 Catches, 22 Stumps (425 Dismissals)
• T20Is: 18 Catches, 1 Stumping (19 Dismissals)

Mark Boucher is a former South African cricketer who is considered to be one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. Had an unfortunate end to his career as a bail hit his eye.

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These wicketkeepers have left their mark on the game and have set the standard for future generations. Their skills, dedication, and hard work have made them some of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricket history.

Final Thoughts

Their agility behind the stumps, exceptional catching prowess, and often underappreciated batting abilities, make them stand out in the cricketing pantheon.

I have developed a newfound respect for these players who donned the gloves and stood guard behind the wickets, often unsung heroes of many a match.

As a fan, I feel privileged to have witnessed some of these greats in action, while others, I have come to appreciate through stories, records, and old footage. The legacy they have left behind is not only inspiring for upcoming cricketers but also serves as a reminder for us fans about the richness and diversity of this beautiful game.

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© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 06/27/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).