All-time Test World XI of best fielders

There have been several lists of the World XI, of late. Players like Brian Lara, Sourav Ganguly, Bishan Bedi, and others have come out with their list of the all-time World XI. This list of Test World XI comprising the best fielders would be unbeatable since it has all the best fielders in its unit.

They would perform their role of batting and bowling and also contribute immensely to their side with catches and the run-outs.

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Openers

#1 Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook was a flamboyant and stylish left-handed batsman who offered variety in stroke play. He opened the innings for England and scored against all teams with aplomb. Cook was strong with pull and cut shots.

Cook was an excellent slip and short-leg fielder and seldom dropped a catch. He had quick reflexes which enabled him to catch the ball easily. Cook fielded close to the stumps even after becoming the captain. When needed, he could field at mid-on or mid-wicket. Overall, he took 175 catches in Test matches.

He made 12,472 runs in 161 Test matches at an average of 45.35. This comprised 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries

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#2 Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith was attacking and savage in his batting approach. He was upfront and direct when he batted against the fast bowlers and the spinners. Smith played off-drives and pull-shots with ease.

Smith never shied away from fielding at close-in positions like short-leg and slips. He was one of the best close-in fielders of his time. He stopped a lot of runs and affected many run-outs for his team. Smith took 169 catches, a mind-boggling number in Test cricket.

Smith played 117 Test matches in which he scored 9265 runs at an average of 48.25. This included 27 centuries and 38 half-centuries.

#Middle Order

#3 Ricky Ponting

Sheffield Shield - Blues v Tigers: Day 4

Ricky is considered to be one of the greats along with Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar. He could play all the shots with the same conviction, notable among those were the hook and pull shots. Ponting was also a fantastic captain for Australia and hence the captain of this side too.

Another attribute of his was being a superb fielder at the backward point and short-leg. He fielded at slips too. He was quite brave and took a lot of body blows while fielding at these positions. Ponting took 196 catches in his entire career.

He played 168 Test matches and scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85. This comprised 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.

#4. Rahul Dravid

England v India: 1st

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Test - Day Three

The man needs no introduction. They called him "The Wall." He was classical in his batting approach with solid defense. Dravid could play all the shots, but his square-cuts and pull-shots were marvellous.

He was an outstanding fielder at the silly-point region. Dravid rarely misfielded or dropped a catch. He took 210 catches in the Test matches.

He played 164 Test matches with 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries. Overall, Dravid scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31.

#5. AB de Villiers

South Africa v West Indies - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

AB was known for playing unorthodox shots and taking huge risks, but it always paid off. Known for hitting big-sixes, he demolished any bowling attack within a few overs. His signature shots were the pull and hook-shots.

He was an excellent fielder at the covers. They called him the 'Spiderman' because of his ability to catch the ball in the air. Overall, he took 222 catches in the Test matches.

De Villiers played 114 Test matches and scored 8765 runs at an average of 50.66. This comprised 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries.

#6. Gary Sobers

Garfield Sobers

Gary Sobers did everything on the cricket field. With the bat, he was a destroyer. He could bowl fast and spin, with equal ease. He could field anywhere. In all, he was a wizard of the game.

He was an excellent fielder who could field in the slips, at the covers, and also at the long-on. Sobers had reflexes like an eagle which were calculated and precise. He was high on anticipation and hence converted the half-chances to wickets. Overall, he took 109 catches in his Test career.

Sobers played 93 Test matches where he scored 8032 runs at an average of 57.78. He also took 235 wickets.

Wicket Keeper

#7. MS Dhoni

England v India - Royal London One-Day Series 2014

MS was stoic and calm while batting. His favorite shots were the on-drives and pull-shots.

Dhoni has been one of the best wicket keepers of all time in the Test cricket. They called him the 'DRS King' because of his superb ability to take reviews or challenge them. He rarely dropped a catch and was quite athletic while keeping the wickets. He took 256 catches and affected 38 batsmen with stumpings.

He played 90 Test matches and scored 4876 runs at an average of 38.09. Dhoni scored 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries in his Test career.

Bowlers

#8 Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev India v West Indies Nehru Cup Delhi 1989

Kapil Dev was one of the leading bowling all-rounders of the world. He resurrected the Indian bowling at a time when India did not have any fast bowlers. Dev was also useful with the bat too.

One of the best fielders who could field anywhere on the cricket field ranging from the covers and the fine-leg to the long-on, and other positions. Apart from catching, he also saved a lot of runs for his team by stopping the opposition's boundaries. He took 64 catches in his career.

He played 131 Test matches and took 434 wickets at an average of 29.64. With the bat, he scored 5248 runs at an average of 31.05.

#9 James Anderson

England v West Indies - 3rd Investec Test: Day Two

James Anderson is a right-arm, fast-medium bowler who can swing the ball on both sides of the wicket. He is prolific and quick which makes him quite a deadly bowler.

Besides being a fantastic bowler, he is a superb outfielder with strong arms. Known for his reflexes and agility, he has taken fielding to another level. He has taken 86 catches till date.

Anderson has played 143 Test matches and taken 564 wickets at an average of 26.84.

#10 Dale Steyn

1st Test - Australia v South Africa: Day 2

Dale Steyn is aggressive and menacing in his bowling approach. He can demolish any batting with his pace and toe-crushing yorkers. He can bowl in-swing as well as out-swing balls equally well.

Steyn is a fine fielder at the long-on and long-off. One of his fielding qualities is his ability to take catches off his own bowling. He has taken 23 catches so far.

Steyn has played 88 Test matches and taken 421 wickets which is phenomenal. This has been done at an average of 22.64.

#11 S Venkataraghavan

Venkat bowling at the nets

Venkat was a right-arm, off-break bowler who played for 18 years for India. He bowled with a side-on action and possessed a great variety in his bowling.

He was a fine fielder at slips and forward-short-leg. Venkat won quite a few matches for India with his fielding skills. He took 44 catches in his entire career.

Venkat played 57 Test matches and took 156 wickets at an average of 36.11.