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With the introduction of the shortest version of cricket in the form of T20, the value of the third and traditionally ignored department of game has risen to new heights. Fielding coaches are a common sight in the long entourages that T20 leagues sides keep. There is no end to what is being done to improve the physical fitness and agility of the players from exposure to more holistic and physically demanding sports like football in practice sessions to employing baseball coaches.
Fielding is a well fleshed out department of cricket now with clearly distinguished aspects of catching, ground work and close-in fielding; all requiring a particular kind of training routine. The work of captains on the field has also simultaneously become more complex as they seek to put the right fielder with the right skills in the right place and as players like Kieron Pollard have shown, an extra inch of height on the boundary line can be very well make all the difference in a game.
The opening match of the Champions Trophy saw the Indian team turn the match on its head with its fielding effort. India has not been a team known for its fielding department traditionally and perhaps we can trace a change of attitude to the Sourav Ganguly-John Wright regime when the introduction of players like Md. Kaif and Yuvraj Singh strengthened the limp fielding department.
There has been a gradual rise in the Indian team’s performance in the field ever since with players being more willing to put their bodies on the line, with an emphasis on youthful energy. This evolution of the game has also forced senior players to lift up their game in this department. The field has become an open battle ground where there are no spaces to hide.
This article shall have a look at the best fielding sides in the ICC Champions Trophy, keeping in mind the contribution this department makes to the success of a side. Here is a list of the top fielding sides:
1. India
As mentioned before, the improvement in India’s fortunes, as far as fielding is concerned, has been a gradual process whose origin can be traced back to the John Wright regime. Ever since then, India has put a lot more trust in young blood for the shorter formats of the game, hunting down hungry players from all corners of the country. The improvement in fielding can also be put down to the improving infrastructure in the country with players prepared to put their bodies on the line on greener surfaces.
This team boasts of some stunning in-circle fielders such as Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma. They form a core group of players who have the ability to apply pressure by hindering the rotation of strike and execute run-outs in critical situations. With bigger boundaries in England and more runs coming through 2s and 3s, these players are willing to chase the down the ball and combine with each other when required. The other half of the team, though not exceptional, does not have astounding loopholes in the XI running around without a clue. Sloppy boundary work is rarely seen and that is an improvement.
2. South Africa
South Africa have always prided themselves for their ability in the field, producing some of the most swift and athletic fielders. The name of Jonty Rhodes is synonymous with brilliance in the field. Gary Kirsten was instrumental in changing India’s fielding and as coach of the Proteas, he seems to have replicated the same principle. JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Faf Du Plessis and David Miller are swift of foot and throw themselves around the ground. The pace battery is not vulnerable to shoddy fielding and Dale Steyn can exercise a fast arm from the boundary line. Captain AB de Villiers is exceptional with the gloves on and has the knack of pulling off some blinders. They put in the toil while fielding and it seems to be in their DNA as opposed to certain sub-continent teams who have to make a focussed and conscious effort in the field.
3. Australia
Australia was one of the first teams in international cricket to have identified fielding as a key area to achieve success. Their consecutive World Cup wins from 1999 to 2007 were marked by spotless fielding. Their team currently boasts of David Warner who’s lightning quick on the field and will receive able support from the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell. Once again, this team does not have a glaring loophole or players that may be targeted for milking doubles. Australia will be consistent and tight on the field as always.
4. England
England have a host of young players to count on to be energetic on the field. Alastair Cook has pointed out from time to time that the fielding department has let them down in the shorter formats of the game. Playing against the likes of Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage, they will have to bring their perfect game. They will be in familiar home conditions and players like Ian bell, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ravi Bopara will have to make extra ground for the slightly weaker components of their squad.
