Wicketkeeper for 1986-2006 World XI

[aussie tragic]

This is now a 7-day “Selection” Poll for the Wicketkeeper in the 1986-2006 World XI

The Wicketkeeper nominees are:

Mark Boucher: 96 tests, 364 dismissals (350/14) ---- 3582 runs @ 30.10 (4/23)
Andy Flower: 55 tests, 151 dismissals (142/9) ---- 4402 runs @ 53.70 (12/23)
Adam Gilchrist: 85 tests, 355 dismissals (320/35) ---- 5124 runs @ 48.80 (16/22)
Ian Healy: 119 tests, 395 dismissals (366/29) ---- 4356 runs @ 27.39 (4/22)
Ridley Jacobs: 65 tests, 219 dismissals (207/12) ---- 2577 runs @ 28.31 (3/14)
Geraint Jones: 31 tests, 124 dismissals (119/5) ---- 1109 runs @ 25.79 (1/6)
Rashid Latif: 37 tests, 130 dismissals (119/11) ---- 1381 runs @ 28.77 (1/7)
Adam Parore: 67 tests, 201 dismissals (194/7) ---- 2479 runs @ 26.94 (2/11)
‘Jack’ Russell: 54 tests, 165 dismissals (153/12) ---- 1897 runs @ 27.10 (2/6)
Kumar Sangakkara: 47 tests, 144 dismissals (124/20) ---- 3093 runs @ 41.24 (7/11)
Ian Smith: 35 tests, 97 dismissals (94/3) ---- 1052 runs @ 26.97 (1/4)
Alec Stewart: 82 tests, 241 dismissals (227/14) ---- 4540 runs @ 34.92 (6/23)

* Entry criteria was > 20 tests between 1986-2006, dismissal rate > 2.5/test and batting Av > 25
* Stats are for when the person was playing in the team as a Wicketkeeper during 1986-2006 only.


The 1986-2006 World XI so far:

1. Matthew Hayden (LHB): 84 tests, 7326 runs @ 53.08, 26 centuries, 26 fifties
2. Saeed Anwar (LHB): 55 tests, 4052 runs @ 45.52, 11 centuries, 25 fifties
3. Ricky Ponting (RHB): 105 tests, 8792 runs @ 58.22, 31 centuries, 34 fifties
4. Sachin Tendulker (RHB) ---- penciled in but Poll is still running

 

[Arjun]

It's no contest. Gilchrist all the way. Unless, you look at Healy's (or Russel's) superior wicketkeeping, but it hasn't had such an impact as Gilchrist's all-round performance.

 

[Bouncer]

Here is the thing, a team that will be full of Batting powerhoses, i wouldnt want to have a wicketkeeper who will be needed for his batting abilities....so i would put Gilchrist, Boucher, aside and go for a keeper who is specilist keeper and still no bunny with bat, i.e "Ian Healy"

 

[SJS]

Here is the thing, a team that will be full of Batting powerhoses, i wouldnt want to have a wicketkeeper who will be needed for his batting abilities....so i would put Gilchrist, Boucher, aside and go for a keeper who is specilist keeper and still no bunny with bat, i.e "Ian Healy"

I totally agree.

In an a side containg the worlds best batsmen of two decades why shouldnt you be able to afford the best man with the gloves?

If you cant afford the best keeper then you might even drop someone like McGrath for Pollock's (or Flintoffs) better batting

 

[Beleg]

Andy Flower

Brilliant batsman and an able wicket-keeper. The difference in quality between Russell and him isn't astronomical.

 

[aussie tragic]

IMO, Gilly is the best WK/batsman of all time, so of course I have to vote for him in the team of just the last 20-years.....

 

[adharcric]

I totally agree.

In an a side containg the worlds best batsmen of two decades why shouldnt you be able to afford the best man with the gloves?

If you cant afford the best keeper then you might even drop someone like McGrath for Pollock's (or Flintoffs) better batting

When you're making all-time XIs, you have to imagine that they'll play against all-time XI quality opposition. Facing Donald, Younis, Akram and Ambrose, even our lineup here might struggle. You need a solid team, not one that can feast on wimpy teams.

 

[oz_fan]

Gilchrist for me

 

[open365]

Gilchrist or Flower..

Mmmmm..

Sod it, Gerraint Jones it is.

 

[shortpitched713]

Why bother voting. Its obviously Gilchrist. Kinda surprised that Flower has only 1 vote and Geraint has 2. Also kinda surprised that no one has voted Sangakarra.

 

[Anil]

I totally agree.

In an a side containg the worlds best batsmen of two decades why shouldnt you be able to afford the best man with the gloves?

If you cant afford the best keeper then you might even drop someone like McGrath for Pollock's (or Flintoffs) better batting

i've been shouting from the rooftops about this for some time to people who have been extolling the batting virtues of gilchrist and pointing to that and adequate keeping as enough to place him in an all-time xi...it's a ridiculous notion...but few seem to get it...

 

[JBH001]

I dunno about that.

I reckon Gilly is a under-rated wk - maybe because the awe his batting induces tends to overshadow his keeping skills?
I mean, he has kept to (arguably) the best 2 bowlers Australia has ever produced and done a very good job. Sure, he may not be the equal of "Heals" in terms of his keeping skills alone - but I think the difference is not as appreciable as people think.

All that in mind, I have not voted yet.
(I have a soft spot for Flower and Sanga)

 

[Tim]

If you were looking at wicket-keeping alone IMO Adam Parore and Russell are ahead of the rest. Parore was simply outstanding, but he was a major let down with the bat..he could have been so much better.

 

[Bouncer]

^^ Problem with Both Prore and Russell is their abilities to keep against quality spinners are not very well know. I am assuming that in this team we will pick either Warne or Muralli or even both, if we count Warne as All rounder. in any case you need a wicket keeper who can stand agaainst either one and sorry Gilchrist fans, HEaly is the man to me,

the only person beside healy that i'd even consider is Sangakara, Gilchrist may have better/attractive batting style than sangakara but my reason is that with all the flamboyant (this is how u spell it right?) top order and possibly an allrounder (I dont think there have been allrounders of any mention in the time period who can play defensively) who'd be bit of a dashar, i'd want someone who can play both defensive and attacking cricket to ballance out all the stroke makers in the team and i 'd take Sangakara over Gilli in this role.

maybe alot of people are not going to agree with my opionion, BUt i am Olod fashioned and thats how i like it.

 

[aussie tragic]

I can understand why it's currently Gilchrist, followed by Healy, but Jones as 3rd best keeper in last 20-years

I guess England might as well leave Read behind for the Ashes

 

[Beleg]

I am surprised at the lack of love for Andy Flower. ONE freakin' vote?

 

[age_master]

Gilchrist - Kumar a close second though for mine.

 

[Tim]

I agree about Parore about the fact that he didn't keep to a class spin bowler but he was a very good player of spin, more so than against the quicks so I feel that he probably would have kept well to a good spin bowler. Of course, we will never know if this would be the case or not.

 

[BhupinderSingh]

Andy Flower.If u do manage to end your career with an average of 50+, playing as a WK-batsman for a minnow, U deserve to be picked in an ALL TIME XI as a batsman alone.IMO,Andy Flower occupies the same place amongst WK batsmen that Donald Bradman has amongst specialist batsmen.So,

1.Andy Flower
2.Daylight
3.Kumar Sangakkara
4.Adam Gilchrist
5.Alec Stewart

And on the basis of keeping skills alone:

1.Rashid Latif
2.Ian Healy
3.Jack Russell
4.Andy Flower
5.Mark Boucher

 

[Anil]

I dunno about that.

I reckon Gilly is a under-rated wk - maybe because the awe his batting induces tends to overshadow his keeping skills?
I mean, he has kept to (arguably) the best 2 bowlers Australia has ever produced and done a very good job. Sure, he may not be the equal of "Heals" in terms of his keeping skills alone - but I think the difference is not as appreciable as people think.

All that in mind, I have not voted yet.
(I have a soft spot for Flower and Sanga)

on the contrary, the only reason why he gets clubbed with the great 'keepers is because of his batting skills...there are quite a few obvious choices who leave him far behind when it comes to pure wicket-keeping skill....