5 Most Underappreciated Wicket-keeper batsmen ever

The Wicketkeeper's position is the most important part in a cricket ground. Very few players have succeeded in the art of wicketkeeping because it is the hardest position to be in. Especially, in countries like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand where the pitches have an immense amount of pace and bounce, the work of a wicket-keeper gets even more challenging.

And that’s not enough, the Wicket-keepers need to score some heavy runs as well. Wicket-keepers have to be sharp, quick and ready at all periods of time because the ball could come at any moment and in troublesome conditions, dropping a catch could prove very expensive for the team. Wicket-keepers have to be exceptionally agile particularly in the position of stumping.

We are blessed to see some great wicketkeepers over the years and right now we're going to show you the most underappreciated wicket-keeper batsman of all time.

5. Andy Flower

Flower

was one of the most accomplished wicket-keepers ever

A Zimbabwean batsman who was all about elegance and simplicity than any other batsmen. Andy Flower was a legendary wicket-keeper from a small cricketing nation, Zimbabwe, who proved that the skills that he had were no joke. He was a wicket-keeping specialist, as he got close to 150 catches across both formats and dismissed over 30 players by his stumping in the longer version of the game.

Andy Flower had an astonishing average of 51.57 in the 63 Tests games which he played and scored over 6,000 ODI runs as well. Andy demonstrated a very high level of sportsmanship, much more than any other player of his age. One of the biggest accomplishments of his legendary career was his total of more than 530 runs against India in India way back in 2000, which gives proof of his ability.

Andy Flower was also the captain of his national side. But his personal performances didn't get affected by the pressure of captaincy during that period which is remarkable.

4. Brendon McCullum

McCullum has 201 dismissals in test matches under his belt

The explosive player from New-Zealand was widely engaged in the amazing change of the team’s fortunes, finishing with a runner-up spot at the ODI World cup 2015. Brandon McCullum's phenomenon of courage, ruthlessness, and hostility sits gently at the top.

Brendon McCullum has always been about class and in the final few years of his legendary career, Bazz started playing destructive innings like a stiff triple hundred against India to rescue a draw and an electric 195 against Pakistan to set up a big success in the sweltering heat of the middle-east.

McCullum has 201 dismissals as a wicket-keeper in test matches, and 273 dismissals in one-day internationals. McCullum also had the style of smashing a 150 Km/hr ball straight over the bowler's head. Brendon McCullum will always be remembered for famously changing the sluggish New Zealand team, broken in quality and turn them into an energetic, brave bunch of people playing an interesting game of cricket.

#3. Ian Healy

Healy was one of the finest wicket-keepers of our generation

Ian Healy is arguably one of the finest wicket-keepers to have blessed the game of cricket. His energy levels were dangerous and his work with the gloves was excellent while he always presented something with the bat during pressure circumstances by playing his natural game and taking the attack to the opposition. Healy had over 4000 runs under his belt in the red ball cricket.

Ian Healy was an exceptional wicket keeper. With the rise of Adam Gilchrist, Healy lost his ODI place in 1997. Because of his shortcomings during the Sri Lanka ODI series, the selectors decided to pick Gilchrist over him for the Ashes. Ian Healy will always be cherished for his complete dedication and loyalty to the team and helping the Australian side to become a dominant team in the coming years.

2. Mark Boucher

Boucher holds the record for the most number of dismissals as a wicket keeper

The South African wicket-keeper batsman holds the record for most number of dismissals in Test matches, standing way ahead of his longtime opponent Adam Gilchrist. Mark Boucher was a very explosive, helpful lower order batsman. Mark had an average of 30 with the bat across all formats, which may not be rated high, but his worth to the team as a team player and a wicket-keeper was unmatched.

He led the Proteas to a record 434-run chase against Australia at the Wanderers in 2006, destroying the Aussie pace attack and finishing off with a dazzling shot and registered the most classic knocks in international cricket.

Boucher was struck by a bail in his right eye in a warm-up match against Somerset back in 2012, a severe eye injury forced him to retire from all forms of international cricket.

1.Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar had 678 dismissals which include 539 catches and 139 stumpings to his name

Kumar Sangakkara was undoubtedly one the most grown cricketer of the modern age scoring more than 14,000 ODI runs and 12,000 Test runs. He had an incredible 2015 World Cup, getting four back-to-back hundreds, and became the first man to do so. His selfless approach has always helped him. Sangakkara was at the top of his skills even though he knew that he can only play the game for some time more.

Kumar is also recognized as one of the greatest when we discuss the word wicketkeeping. In his legendary career, he had 678 dismissals which include 539 catches and 139 stumpings. Apart from his batting and keeping skills, Sanga was a great captain as well. He led Sri Lanka for a long time and supported his side to reach the finals of the World Cup.