All about Test cricket wicketkeepers - Part I

We now take a look at wicketkeepers in the five-day format. The first part of this series analyses performances as a keeper-batsman.

Adam Gilchrist is the leading run-getter in Test as a wicketkeeper.

Since the very beginning of cricket, a wicketkeeper’s skill has always been applied behind the wickets. His most important skill is his ability to catch the ball, be it with one hand or both, either from a nearly stationary position standing close to the batsman or affecting a quick dive or sprint, or even a stumping. However, in modern-day cricket, a ’keeper’s job specs are not only to perform well behind the wickets in terms of taking catches, executing stumpings and limiting the number of byes, but to also perform well as a batsman. Therefore, the position is of a specialist or an all-rounder in the playing XI.

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Our previous four statistical pieces were on Test captains, so we now take a look at wicketkeepers in the five-day format. The first part of the series analyses performances as a keeper-batsman.

Highest Test scores by wicketkeepers

 

Highest scores by wicketkeeper-batsmen for other Test sides

 

Progressive highest Test scores by wicketkeepers – how the record changed hands

+ Jarvis was on his Test debut.

Highest Test scores by wicketkeepers at each batting position

+ Was also captain.

Leading run-getters in Tests as wicketkeeper

+ Includes one Test for the ICC World XI.

South Africa's AB de Villiers had the best career batting average of 57.30 in Test cricket. He score 2,120 runs in 25 Tests.

 

Highest Test career batting average as a wicketkeeper (minimum 30 innings)

 

First to landmark Test runs as a wicketkeeper

 

Fewest innings to landmark Test runs as a wicketkeeper

Notes:

Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka) and Jonny Bairstow (England) took the fewest Tests (13) to reach 1,000 runs as keeper.

Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) took the fewest Tests (42) to reach 3,000 runs as keeper.

Most Test centuries as wicketkeeper

Note: Wicketkeepers with seven centuries are Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Matt Prior (England), A. B. de Villiers (South Africa) and Bradley-John Watling (New Zealand).

Most Test runs in a calendar year as wicketkeeper

 

Most Test runs in a series as wicketkeeper

+ Home team.

To be continued...