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Top 10 Greatest Wicket-Keepers of All Time

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Wicket Keeper is the most familiar terminology in cricketing books. By all means this is the most critical fielding position on the cricket ground. The level of concentration that this position demands is relentless and uncompromising. But even after all the arduous work that wicket keepers put in, still they get criticized for the occasional that lapses they do. But there have been greats who have withstood all the pressure and have registered their names in the glory books not because of their explosive batting or fearsome bowling but rather because of their safe hands behind the stumps and acrobatic profile to manage all the deadly assaults behind the stumps.

1. Adam Gilchrist

Modern day cricket owes a lot to Adam Gilchrist from New South Wales. He was the man who changed the concept of wicket keepers. Any wicket keeper who could not bat was simply not acceptable in international cricket after this man mesmerized the world with his explosive opening batting in one day cricket. He would take the bowlers to the cleaners on any given day. He was safe as a house behind the stumps. Be it diving, catching or stumping, this man was the master. He has 416 dismissals in test and 472 in one day internationals. The reason Australian were invincible in 2000’s had a lot to do with Adam Gilchrist as he always gave them good starts at the top and always took the half chances behind the stumps.

2. Kumar Sangakkara

The elegant left hander batsman from Sri Lanka had his wicket keeping over shadowed by his batting genius. He is more known as someone who has just batted and batted for ages and have driven every bowler in the world. But very few people know that he is the most successful wicket keeper in one day international cricket with a total of 482 dismissals. Even though long height is not desirable for a wicket keeper as they had to crouch a lot but Sangakara never let this weakness came in his way and rather turned this into a strength as he could cover an extra yard with his dive to take catches.

3. MS Dhoni

Arguably the greatest Indian captain of all time with all the major trophies in his bag happens to be the greatest Indian wicket keeper as well. Leading the team while being a wicket keeper makes the job doubly difficult but MS Dhoni never lost his cool. His ability to stay calm in the most roughest of situations has enabled him to perform exceptionally well as a keeper. He has been the man in gloves for India since 2004 and till now he has 350 scalps in ODI cricket, 89 of which are stumping.

4. Brendon McCullum

If there ever have been a closest person to Adam Gilchrist then its Brendon McCullum because of the nature of his batting. He can absolutely hammer the bowlers on an given day. And his keeping is similar in nature to his batting. He is an absolute entertainer both with the bat and with the gloves. He is capable of holding on to spectacular catches and is equally good in hitting the stumps directly.

5. Rodney Marsh

The big mustached man from Australia who kept behind the stumps in 70s and early 80s will be remembered as a phenomena in wicket keeping. He is by far the most respected and admired wicket keeper in cricket fraternity owing to his record of 355 dismissal in 96 test matches in career that spanned almost fourteen years. His dismissals per innings index is as high as 1.95 and it is something which many modern keepers have struggled to compete with.

6. Alec Stewart

Surrey county gave birth to this English icon. Alec Stewart is not just the longest serving wicket keeper for England but is also the most capped test player for England as he featured in 133 games for England. His record of 241 dismissals in test cricket speaks volumes about his credentials and abilities as a wicket keeper. He had this aura with him which made him the captain of his national side. Even though the gloves were occasionally switched between him and Jack Russell but Stewart was unanimously the accepted and competent English keeper and his statistics backed up this claim.

7. Ian Healy

1990s was the era of resurgence of Australians in the world cricket and Ian Healy was the spine of that side. Kids and youngsters now days listen his crispy voice quite often in commentary box. Prior to Adam Gilchrist he was in charge of behind the stumps activities for Australia. He began his career in 1988 and had a modest start but he raised his stature in the Australian cricket in 90s. He was an extremely enthusiastic bloke who gave his hundred percent in training sessions, team meetings and most importantly on the field. He was a lively character who would always kept his side going when the chips were down. He skills as a keeper were evident on the field and his stats are also in conformity with this abilities as he has 395 dismissals in test cricket and 233 in one day internationals under his belt.

8. Mark Boucher

South Africa is the best fielding side in the world and the best fielding side needs the best keeper in its ranks. And Mark Boucher fulfilled that requirement brilliantly. He was the strongest competitor in the side with great fighting spirit. After starting his test career in 1997, he had to work his way up the ranks but he was determined and focused. His acrobatic prowess and agility helped him do wonders behind the stumps. His legacy can be estimated from the fact that he holds the record for the highest number of scalps in test cricket which amount to 555.

9. Rashid Latif

Pakistan has never been a good fielding side and quite often we have seen their fielders dropping sitters and the wicket keepers are no exception to that. But if there has ever been an exception then its Rashid Latif. Unlike traditional Pakistani fielding, he is someone you can rely. He was swift in moving, a natural athlete and safe catcher. He was very smart at gathering the ball and dislodging the stumps. His tally consists of 220 one day dismissals.

10. Brad Haddin

He also happens to be from the same state as that of Adam Gilchrist. He is the 4th man in this list from Australia which sums up the ruthless nature of Aussies. They know how to produce the best in world. Even though Haddin made his ODI debut in 2001 but he established himself as a key member of the team after taking over reins from Adam Gilchrist in 2008 and was equally dynamic behind the stumps in his movement, judging the line and length of the ball and more importantly catching the ball.

References

www.totalsportek.com/cricket/greatest-wicket-keepers-of-all-times/
posted Mar 15, 2017 by Babita Thawani

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It appears like perpetually prior when the worlds only care in sports was who was battling for the Heavyweight Championship. Stadium's were pressed everywhere throughout the world to see Muhammad Ali battle Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

What it intended to be the heavyweight champ of the world has radically lost its glory, yet these 10 contenders changed the world of games. It is a disgrace the boxing scene will never be what it once was. I wish I could bounce in a time machine and see these contenders in their prime.

With the fighting world progressing into the MMA era, these legends will only live in our memories, in a time where these heavyweights ruled the mass media.

Let's take a look at top 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time in the world:

1. Muhammad Ali 56-5g

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2. Joe Louis 68-3

The 'Brown Bomber' reigned from 1937 to 1948, and was a world champion for 11 years and 10 months. Both are still records in the heavyweight division. His 25 consecutive defences of the title make Louis one of the greatest heavyweights in history. His style. Power and nous. "Everyone can box until they've been hit," was his renowned saying.

3. Jack Johnson 77-13-14

The first African-American heavyweight champion of the world. Erudite as a fighter, pioneer Johnson brought technique, skills, power and footwork. An audacious, irrepressible character who challenged the authorities and society at the time, through his brilliance in the sport, and a spirit which refused to be quelled.

4. Larry Holmes 69-6

With one of the greatest jabs in the sport, Holmes grew tall in the years he spent as Ali’s sparring partner and when his time came, his reign was long and successful. WBC heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1983, and The Ring magazine champion from 1980 to 1985; IBF champion from 1983 to 1985. He had 20 successful title defences, behind only Joe Louis at 25 and Wladimir Klitschko. One of only five men—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali.

5. George Foreman 76-5

The oldest heavyweight champion, at the age of 45, in the history of the sport. Fought in The Rumble In The Jungle against Muhammad Ali which made his name. But it was his raw punch power and intensity which had taken him to that point.

6. Lennox Lewis 41-2-1

The greatest British heavyweight in history, and the champion who set a new template for the rise of the 'super-heavyweight champion'. Standing 6ft 5ins tall with an 85in reach, the huge man was a fighter, but also a modern athlete, with all the boxing skills, movement, footwork and power. The best heavyweight of the last 25 years and the leading heavyweight in an era of great tests.

7. Joe Frazier 32-4-1

Frazier's style revolved around hooks thrown from bobbing, weaving and relentless pressure - aimed at wearing down his opponents. He remains one of the most ferocious, devastating exponents of the hook in the heavyweight division. Forever linked with Muhammad Ali due to their trilogy of fights between the rivals. The last of those, The Thrilla in Manila, is amongst the most brutal championship fights in the division’s history.

8. Evander Holyfield 41-8-2

Involved in a great era with Lewis, Tyson and Riddick Bowe, having a trilogy with Bowe and two each with the other two standouts. The eight championship fights with the three other standouts of the era mark him out as a great, alongside his longevity and resistance. Retained the world heavyweight title three times.

9. Rocky Marciano 49-0

The only heavyweight in my top 15 to retire undefeated, Marciano defended the title six times. Marciano had a short career as a pressure fighter. Relentless, with incredible stamina and a great chin, he was a ferocious puncher for a man of just 190 pounds. Knockout percentage of 87.75 is amongst the highest in heavyweight history.

10. Wladimir Klitschko 65-3

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Here are some of the interesting facts you must know about his life:

1. Ali initially ventured in the ring at a youthful age of 12 in the place where he grew up of Louisville, Ky., after his bike was stolen and a cop recommended he figure out how to box. 

2. At 22 years old, he had become famous and won the World Heavyweight Championship in 1964 by crushing Sonny Liston in seven rounds, in what is accepted to be one of the greatest wearing surprises ever. 

3. After that dazzling win, Ali, who was initially known as Cassius Clay, joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name. 

4. Ali won 100 out of 108 beginner battles and furthermore won a gold decoration at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. There were a few reports later that he purportedly hurled the award into a waterway after a server at a pop wellspring in Louisville declined to serve him since he was dark. 

5. In 1967 when he was at his crest, at 32 years old, Ali had been prohibited from the game for a long time and stripped of his boxing title because of his refusal to be drafted to Vietnam for religious reasons. 

6. Ali is a three-time heavyweight champion (1964, 1974, 1978). 

7. Ali resigned in 1981 in the wake of losing to Trevor Berbick in his 61st profession session. 

8. He completed his vocation in 1981 with a record of 56 wins (counting 37 by knockout) and five misfortunes. 

9. After three years, he was determined to have Parkinson infection. 

10. Ali, who called himself "The Greatest," was hitched four circumstances and had nine youngsters, including little girl Laila, who likewise turned into an expert boxer. Ali and his fourth spouse, Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams, had been hitched since 1986.

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