7 bravest close-in fielders in cricket history

The art of catching the cricket ball is a special gift. Some do it well, some not so well, and then there are the gifted few who do it with what appears to be nonchalant ease. Especially in close positions, it becomes extremely difficult and requires exceptional concentration and reflexes. Fielding at close-in positions like forward short leg or silly point is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But few cricketers have proved themselves to be brave, having embraced the positions, and even risking getting struck by batsman. Typically, fielding at these positions has proven to be not only dangerous, but also tough, considering the speed at which the ball is being hit and the short distance between the fielder and the batsman.Few fielders in the world have turned out to be exceptional in these positions, taking crucial catches to dismiss well-set batsmen, even turning matches on its head.A look at the 7 bravest close-in fielders to have played the game.

#1 Eknath Solkar

Eknath Solkar seen taking a catch at forward short-leg.

Known for his exceptional fielding, Eknath Dhondu Solkar was arguably India’s greatest forward short-leg fielder. His fielding and catching contributed substantially to the success of India's spin quartet of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna and Venkataraghavan in the 1970s.

The supremely athletic Solkar had made the dangerous forward short-leg position virtually his own with his supple arms, lightning reflexes, hawk-like eyesight, brilliant anticipation and amazing concentration - all without a helmet, arm-guards or shin-guards.

He would dive full-length and scoop the catch millimetres from the ground in his cupped two-handed style, unique among bat-pad specialists.

#2 Brian Close

Brian Close fielding at forward short-leg without helmet or pads.

Widely considered as the bravest cricketer to have played test cricket, Brian Close was fearless when it came to fielding at forward short-leg or silly point, and did not even bother to wear a helmet or any other protection guard. He showed similar attitude while batting and chose to bat without helmet, even when he had to face the most fiercest West Indies bowling attack.

Close was often spotted in the dressing room with bruises and wounds, which he suffered during his batting or fielding.

#3 David Boon

David Boon catches Michael Atherton in a 1993 Test match

David Boon was that rare cricketer who stunned batsmen, taking sharp catches at silly point or forward short-leg. He more often than not, made batsman wonder what struck them, with his lightening speed and agility while fielding.

Boon turned the short leg fielding position from one of speculation and hopefulness into a refined attacking weapon. His impact on batsmen should not be underestimated, such was the frequency of their dismissal at his hands.

He ended his career with a staggering 99 catches.

#4 Augustine Logie

Gus Logie dives at short leg

Here’s a cricketer who won the Man of the Match award for Fielding! Widely regarded as the greatest fielder before the Jonty Rhodes era, Gus Logie fielded closer to the bat, and was a menace in close quarters with his snake-like agility and unbelievable reflex.

Batsmen seldom dared to play the flick or pull when he was placed at forward short-leg. In ODIs too, Logie turned out to be a brilliant fielder and had the ability to hit the stumps from impossible angles on a consistent basis.

#5 Tony Lock

Tony Lock was an excellent bowler and an even better fielder

One of the best short-leg fielders of his time, Tony Lock magnificent short-leg fielding was as much appreciated as his bowling. In fact he could field anywhere on the ground and still be very sharp and precise..

He was considered the longest and best thrower in the team. Although he was a brilliant fielder, Lock earned more fame through his exceptional bowling. He is best remembered for taking the 20th wicket when Jim Laker scalped 19 in 1956.

However, his catching is stuff of legends in the county circuit, he held more than 250 catches between 1952-56 when Surrey completely dominated cricket in England.

#6 Sir Gary Sobers

Sobers is still regarded as the greatest all-rounder in Cricket

Sir Garfield Sobers, regarded as the greatest all-rounder of all time, was one of a kind when it came to fielding. As a fielder, he could pouch half-chances in the slip, and at leg-slip grab even those which did not register as chances at all.

If, for the sake of variety he was placed in the covers, he could chase like a greyhound and pick up and throw in one action, searing, flat and accurate. The same applied for positions like short-leg and silly point where he was sharp and precise.

#7 Yajurvindra Singh

Ajinkya Rahane broke the joint record of most catches in a Test innings, jointly held by Yajurvindra Singh.

It is not very often that a cricketer who has played only four Test matches for India can lay claim to being the joint holder of two world records till as recently as last month, that too on his debut. And yet this remarkable feat stands against the name of Yajurvindra Singh.

And it wasn’t batting or bowling record but an even more rare fielding record. Singh’s 7 catches, even more miraculously, were taken when he was playing his first Test for India.