If anyone ever asked me – “Who do you think is the greatest fielder of all time?” - I would without a second’s delay reply – “Jonty Rhodes”. To me, it’s as simple an answer as “Sachin Tendulkar” – for greatest batsman ever.
However, we are a species that love to challenge the default. For every cry of “Sachin”, there have been enough references to Lara and Ponting; or more recently Dravid, Kallis, Mahela and most notably Sangakkara. However, I guess what gives us the confidence to unflinchingly consider Sachin at the top, is because of the sheer mountain of runs he has scored.
All other aspects – be it average, runs in winning causes vs. losing causes, highest scores – fade into oblivion, in front of 34357 international runs, and most importantly a century of centuries.
Do we feel the same way about Jonty? While he still remains our favourite, his numbers aren’t that impressive. In fact, if we delve into international cricket stats (Tests, ODIs ,and T20Is), he was 61st on the list of number of catches, and 46th on the list of highest number of catches per innings. This might force you to accept the fact that there were many others who have made a bigger mark in the fielding department – and that’s what prompted us to dive into some numbers and research. After all, numbers never lie!
Presenting ladies and gentlemen, our verdict of the best fielders of all time in 5 crucial fielding positions.
#1 First Slip – Graeme Smith
With 292 catches in all international cricket and a catch per innings rate of 0.643, Graeme Smith emerges not only as our best slip fielder but the best fielder overall as well. The prolific former South African who holds the record for most tests played as captain, as well as most Test wins as captain, was one of the safest pair of hands in the slip area.
He can easily be quoted as one of the shining examples of top order batsmen who were also slip fielders, something which attributes to their excellent hand-eye coordination and immense concentration.
Notable Mentions: Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Mahela Jayawardene, Rahul Dravid & Mark Taylor.
#2 Second slip – Mark Waugh
“Don’t try and catch the ball, let the ball catch you.” – was what Junior Waugh had once advised a fellow cricketer. While most slip fielders around the world, tensed their forearms on hearing the edge, Waugh did the opposite – he would relax and position himself behind the line of the ball, and make extremely difficult catches look easy.
Most of his 289 catches have come at 2nd slip, especially while facing pacers; while he also stood in at silly point for spinners, and later at 1st slip, once Mark Taylor retired. With an impressive 0.592 catches per innings, Mark Waugh is our favourite fielder at 2nd slip.
Notable Mentions: Carl Hooper, Jacques Kallis, Allan Border, Graeme Hick & Andrew Strauss
#3 Gully / Backward Point – Paul Collingwood
One of the most under-rated all-rounders of his time, Paul Collingwood will always be remembered more as a fielder rather than as a batsman, bowler or captain. Seen mostly in his favourite position - gully, he has also stood in at backward point, like some of his other contemporaries who have fielded in the same position.
England’s only captain to have lifted an ICC Trophy, Collingwood has picked up 217 catches at an impressive 0.609 catches per innings and is currently working with both the English and Scottish teams as a part-time coach and fielding consultant. “The more fielders think for themselves, the better for the team.”- feels the 3 time Ashes winner.
Notable Mentions: Mike Hussey (Backward point), Steve Waugh (Gully)
#4 Backward Point – Ricky Ponting
With the most number of run-outs effected in all International matches – 80, as well as 364 catches at the rate of 0.507 catches per innings, this aggressive Aussie edges past my favourite Jonty, to be the best at backward point. Throughout the 90s, at all cricket discussions, he and Jonty vied for the title of the world’s best fielder.
Although Ponting was seen donning the helmet at silly point, and ultimately finished as a slip fielder - mostly besides his successor Michael Clarke, Ponting will always be remembered for his sharp, aggressive and intimidating fielding at point, and for some memorable sledging as well!
Notable Mentions: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jonty Rhodes
Cover – AB de Villiers
The world record holder for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket, ABD is renowned for his agility at the covers. Between Mark Boucher’s retirement and Quinton de Kock’s debut, he illustriously kept wickets for the Proteas – he holds the records for the highest number of catches in a single Test -11.
That apart, his exploits on the field have earned him 217 catches at the rate of 0.632 catches per innings. With a strong throwing arm, and Jonty-like spirit, ABD always looks to thrill with his fielding within the circle – a notable exception being at the semi-final of the WC last year, where a missed run-out chance of New Zealander Corey Anderson cost SA the match.
Notable Mentions: Mohammad Azharuddin, Michael Clarke, Herschelle Gibbs
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