Bert Oldfield, Don Tallon or Wally Grout? Who was the better complete package?

[mr_mister]

3 of Australia's most revered wicket keepers before Marsh, Healy and Gilchrist came about.


All were known as fine glovemen, and all were known as useful if not amazing batsmen. Oldfield and Grout being gritty fighters while Tallon was more of a strokemaker.


Who was the best combined keeper-bat?

 

[JBMAC]

I was fortunate to watch Tallon and Grout (Grizz) and have the Grizz as my mentor/coach. Tallon was the far superior Stumper and quicker on his feet. He was one of the first keepers to stand up to the fast bowlers whereas today it is commonplace. The only footage I have seen of Oldfield shows him to be competent behind the sticks. As for batting from what I recall the Grizz was far in advance of Tallon BUT Stumpers during their playing periods did not have to be superior batsmen with the likes of Bradman etc batting before them. Other keepers of note , in my humble opinion were Engineer, Godfrey Evans and John MacLean.

 

[Starfighter]

He was one of the first keepers to stand up to the fast bowlers whereas today it is commonplace.

I can't claim to have seen either play outside of old footage but I'm not sure about this one, at least at test/FC level. Interesting, to say the least.

 

[fredfertang]

JBMAC has spoken - this thread can now be closed

 

[Coronis]

I know he had the fortune of playing with both Grimmett and O’Reilly, but Oldfield’s ratio of stumpings to dismissals is ridiculous.