5 most successful bowler-wicketkeeper combinations in Test cricket

Partnerships in Test cricket are always being talked about, whether it is of two batsmen or two bowlers. However, if there is one combination which is rarely stressed on, then that is of a bowler and a wicketkeeper.

Test cricket is truly the supreme form of the game and excelling in it demands sincerity, persistence and utmost dedication. The moving red ball often presents a plethora of opportunities to the bowling side and the ones who make the most out of the unpredictability of red ball transform into legends of the sport.

A bowler sincerely bowls long demanding spells in order to get a fine edge from the opposition batsman and when the ball deviates after taking the edge, there needs to be a reliable wicket-keeper at the back to finish the job.

Both work in tandem and no great side has ever existed without a formidable bowler-wicketkeeper duo. Here we list down five most successful bowler-wicketkeeper combinations in the history of Test cricket.

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#5 Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher

South Africa's duo of Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher formed a great pair

Back in his day, Shaun Pollock was one of the best bowlers in the world who had the ability to swing the game away from his opposition. The Proteas camp often relied on Shaun Pollock's top flight bowling skill to get them early wickets in seaming conditions and the pacer was always on the top of his mark, creating tough angles for the best of batsmen.

Shaun Pollock was aptly supported by Mark Boucher, who never failed to mesmerize the ardent fans of the sport with his remarkable wicket-keeping skills. Together, these two men inflicted 79 dismissals which places them on number five position of this list. Mark Boucher had one of the safest pair of hands and his numbers behind the stumps place him in the elite bracket of wicket-keepers.

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#4 Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist

Brett Lee (Center) and Adam Gilchrist (R)

Brett Lee is often regarded as one of the fastest bowlers of all time and it was his fiery pace which helped Australia to a great extent back in the early part of the 21st century. Australian Cricket was a force to reckon with as men like Brett Lee dominated the field with their scintillating pace and immaculate bowling skills.

Brett Lee's bowling had many batsmen troubled by the pace and bounce as the pacer induced a whole lot of edges off the bat, which were gleefully accepted by ace wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps.

The latter is one of the most loved cricketers of all-time and apart from his aggressive batting prowess, Gilchrist was extremely good with the gloves. Together, the two Australians inflicted a total of 81 dismissals.

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#3 Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher celebrating with Makhaya Ntini

South Africa has produced some lethal fast bowlers over the years and one such player was Makhaya Ntini. With 390 Test wickets to his name, Makhaya Ntini is the third-highest wicket-taker of all time for South Africa.

His accuracy was immensely appreciated by the critics and the South African Cricket devotees adored the fearsome pacer for his work-rate and positive attitude. 84 wickets, out of Ntini's 390 wickets in Test cricket came as a result of Mark Boucher's skill behind the sticks.

#2 Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist

Fourth Test - India v Australia: Day 3

Two men who went on to become a part of Australian cricket's best ever cricketers, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist are two legends of the sport who have given the entire cricketing fraternity a lot to cheer about. Their on-field marvels are no secret to the avid followers of the sport as the two contributed immensely to what was a golden era of Australian Cricket.

Glenn Mcgrath and Adam Gilchrist take the second place on this coveted list courtesy of their remarkable record in Test cricket. The duo's combination saw them notch up 90 dismissals - second most by any bowler-wicketkeeper duo in the history of Test cricket.

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#1 Dennis Lillee & Rod Marsh

Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh

Whenever the subject of Dennis Lillee and partnerships is brought forward for discussion, there is one alliance which makes a lot of rounds and that is of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. The two majestic fast bowlers were a nightmare for the opposition batsmen and yet, a lot of Lillee's wickets can also be credited to the efficiency of Rod Marsh behind the stumps.

The duo of Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh produced numerous memorable moments for Australian cricket fans in their time as together, they inflicted 95 dismissals, the most scalps for a bowler-wicketkeeper combination in Test cricket history.

Lillee with his ferocious pace was just too hard to face as even the best of opposition batsmen fell prey to his masterclass on the field. His skill, combined with Rod Marsh's safe pair of hands ensured several victories for their side.