5 best backward point fielders of all time

Although the backward point position never got much of a currency in Test cricket, over the years, it has become one of the most important positions as far as limited-overs cricket is concerned.

Since batsmen are forced to take more risks and attack deliveries outside off stump at all times, the backward point fielder becomes a vital member of the fielding unit. However, at the same time, only the very best fielders are stationed at that position.

Hard cuts along the ground or in the air need great reflexes on the part of the fielder if they are to be stopped or caught. On the other hand, the fielder often needs to anticipate the objectives of the batsman in order to succeed at backward point. Moreover, cut shots can often spin awkwardly in the air or off the surface, which is another challenge for the fielder.

Excellent reflexes, soft hands, outstanding catching abilities and anticipating the batsman's actions are some of the most important factors that go into the makings of a top fielder. All those skills are necessary when one fields at backward point and over the years, plenty of fielders have defined that position in limited-overs cricket.

Here is a look at 5 of the very best.

#5 Paul Collingwood

Former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood made things look remarkably easy at backward point and over the course of a relatively long limited-overs career, he emerged as one of the all-time best fielders at that position.

The hardest cuts from batsmen were stopped by him quite consistently and in addition to that, he could dive full length on either side in order to prevent boundaries. Collingwood was also capable of taking spectacular catches. He was perhaps England's first fielder who could hold his own against the very best in the world and with him patrolling that key area, batsmen often had second thoughts about going for an extra run or playing shots in the air.

#4 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

For a long time, the Indian cricket team was generally known for its poor fielding. There might have been some great fielders like Mohammad Azharuddin but there were none who could match up to the standards set by the fielders of South Africa and Australia.

However, it all changed in 2000 when Yuvraj Singh debuted for India and changed the face of Indian fielding. Throughout his career as one of India's best limited-overs cricketers, Yuvraj fielded at the backward point position and not only took some outstanding catches, but was also responsible for saving a lot of runs through his superb reflexes.

Even the hardest of cut shots were caught if they were within his reach and quite often, he made them look easy. The ability to time his jump often proved crucial and a lot of it had to with his ability to anticipate the stroke.

Nowadays, his fielding may have deteriorated, but in his pomp, he was among the best fielders in the world.

#3 Herschelle Gibbs

Herschelle Gibbs

South Africa have always been blessed with outstanding fielders and Herschelle Gibbs was one of their very best, as he went on to become one of the greatest fielders in history. As a backward point fielder, he was in a different league altogether due to his amazing reflexes, speed of movement and ability to dive either way to stop a hard shot.

In limited-overs cricket, shots to backward point are almost always hit hard and throughout his career, Gibbs could keep the best of batsmen and the non-striker on tenterhooks due to his fielding prowess.

Gibbs' ability to dive and jump with incredible accuracy to take catches also made him a fielder against whom batsmen could never feel comfortable. Although he may be known for one of the most famous drops in World Cup history, there is no doubt that there were very few fielders who could match him.

#2 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting

Former Australian great Ricky Ponting will surely go down in history as one of the finest batsmen to have ever played the game, but what often gets overshadowed due to his excellence with the bat is his outstanding ability as a fielder.

During his time in the Australian limited-overs sides, Ponting largely fielded at backward point and emerged as one of the best fielders at the position. Like most of the great backward point fielders, Ponting could dive either way and throw himself around to take catches and stop boundaries.

In addition to that, he was a very quick mover and that made it all the more difficult for batsmen to get anything past him. However, what made him an even greater threat was his ability to effect direct hits and that particular quality elevated him to a higher plane than many other fielders.

Ponting remains one of the finest fielders to have fielded at backward point and many players try to emulate his fielding style to this day.

#1 Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes is the greatest fielder to have ever played international cricket and the template of the ideal modern-day backward point fielder was created by him back in the 1992 World Cup when he dazzled the world with his never-seen-before exploits in that position.

Rhodes was perhaps the first fielder who brought the actions of a football goalkeeper to the cricket field and in addition to that, he had amazing reflexes that allowed him to change direction in a split second.

It was very difficult to get anything past him and during his career, Rhodes turned plenty of games on their heads with brilliant pieces of fielding. He was the pioneer of the demon backward point fielder and without a doubt, the best in history.