Aussie Rodney Marsh uncrowned king of all Test wicket-keepers
FLASHBACK: Wicketkeepers play an important role in Test cricket and
it is nothing, but right that we think about them in the game of
cricket. Speaking of cricket and if we are to pick the best wicketkeeper
in the good old past, there is one name that props up – Rodney Marsh. He
can rightly be called uncrowned king of all Test wicketkeepers, not
merely in numerical terms, but more importantly in qualitative analysis.
For instance, he has played in almost as many Tests as the next two
on the list. Yet, he has effected for more dismissals than either (the
only one in Test history with over 300 catches and total dismissals),
and his average rate of dismissals per Test is the best in the list.
It will also be observed that he reached 100 dismissals almost as
quickly in the least number of Tests as his compatriot, the late Wally
Grout.
Incidentally, Marsh’s and Grout’s extremely high rate of most
dismissals per Test match is surpassed by only one other ‘keeper in Test
history, and he too is an Australian – Gill Langley, 98 dismissals (83
caught, 15 stumped) in only 26 Tests, average an impressive 3.76.
At the other end of the scale, Syed Kirmani shares with Godfrey Evans
the “record” for taking the most number of Tests to reach 100
dismissals, and both disappointingly have the lowest average of
dismissals per Test match. Rather surprising, considering the high
calibre of their wicketkeeping.
The countries that have been playing Test cricket for a long time
have been taken in the fable, except New Zealand. The late Ken Wadsworth
reached 96 dismissals (92 caught, 4 stumped) in 93 Tests before this
fine Kiwi ‘keeper’ tragically passed away in his prime.
Rod Marsh’s principal claim to Test fame is, of course, his
association with Dennis Lillee.
Both of them played for the State of Western Australia in the
Sheffield Shield. Hence, their understanding, co-ordination and mutual
skill in encompassing the downfall of opposing batsmen is well-high
perfect.
The two together have produced that awe-inspiring scoreline: “Caught
Marsh, bowled Lillee ” 64 Tests. This unique partnership gave them a
built-in advantage which other combinations have lacked, since the
bowler concerned had to function with different ‘keepers, and
vice-versa.
The next comparably most prolific combination is the one between Bob
Taylor and Ian Botham – 59 dismissals reading” c Taylor b Botham in 42
Test together.
The closest Aussie parallel to the Marsh – Lillee Phenomenon is Wally
Grout’s fine pairing with four great bowlers - 45 dismissals (including
one stumping) off Alan Davidson’s bowling (28 Tests together) 27 catches
of Graham McKenzie (26 Tests), 26 dismissals (including 11 stumpings)
off Richie Benaud (32 Tests), and 24 catches off Neil Hawke (21 Tests).
Just for the record, Rod Marsh also combined effectively with Max
Walker (38 catches in 32 Tests together) and Jeff Thomson (35 catches in
21 Tests).
There may be some interest in Pakistan where the readers may be
interested to know how their champion ‘keeper’ Wasim Bari has fared, so
far as this ‘keeper/bowler’ combination goes, Bari has effected 36
dismissals off Imran Khan in 43 Tests together and 32 off Sarfraz Nawaz
in 44 Tests.
Similarly, Indian enthusiasts may like to note that Syed Kirmani has
to his credit 39 dismissals off Kapil Dev in 43 Tests together.
Another unique wicketkeeping record also belongs to Australia. Bert
Oldfield is the only one in the list of 11 not to have completed a
century of catches.
Yet, his extraordinary tally of stumpings is never likely to be
surpassed – at least not in our lifetime.
Since the three ‘keepers’ playing together (Bari, Kirmani, Taylor)
were all in the twilight of their careers and cannot therefore add
sufficiently to their total of stumpings to overtake Oldfield’s figure.
It is a little known feature of Oldfield’s record that of 28 of his
52 stumpings came off the bowling of Clarrie Grimmett.
These two deadly hunters in combination effected 37 dismissals in as
many Tests together.
AC de S
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