With the change of the structure of cricket now wicket keepers’ role has just shifted from merely wicket keeping to an all-rounder who can bat. Teams are now trying to have an evenly balanced team with at least 3-4 all-rounders who can either bowl and bat or a wicket keeper having capabilities of scoring consistently.
In current scenario there are wicket keepers like Adam Gilchrist (Aus), Mark Boucher (SA), Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), M.S. Dhoni (India) and Brandon McCullum (New Zealand) who are well known for their terrific batting. Here is a list of some destructive wicket keepers in the cricket world cups so far.
Players |
For |
M |
CT |
ST |
Victims |
Byes |
Adam Gilchrist |
Aus |
20 |
33 |
2 |
35 |
24 |
Moin Khan |
Pak |
20 |
23 |
7 |
30 |
27 |
Alec Stewart |
Eng |
20 |
21 |
2 |
23 |
16 |
Ridley Jacobs |
WI |
11 |
21 |
1 |
22 |
1 |
Mark Boucher |
SA |
15 |
22 |
0 |
22 |
13 |
Wasim Bari |
Pak |
14 |
18 |
4 |
22 |
6 |
Ian Healy |
Aus |
14 |
18 |
3 |
21 |
12 |
Jeff Dujon |
WI |
14 |
19 |
1 |
20 |
42 |
Rodney Marsh |
Aus |
11 |
17 |
1 |
18 |
16 |
Kiran More |
Ind |
14 |
12 |
6 |
18 |
15 |
Lets have a look at some of the best wicket keepers batsmen for the current Cricket World Cup 2007.
Adam Gilchrist is presently the best wicket keeper batsman for the current world cup. Apart from his world-class wicket keeping, Adam most of times opens the batting innings of Australia. His destructive batting especially in the first 15 overs is probably one of the reasons for keeping Australia in the number one position. His batting and work behind wicket has been proving beneficial for winning a match.
Mark Boucher from South Africa is another excellent contributor in the game of cricket, known for his unique style of hitting boundaries at any point of time without considering the reputation of the bowler.
Kumar Sangakkarra is probably the best wicket keeper and batsman for Sri Lanka so far. Usually coming at number four in the batting order he manages to set up a long score.
MS Dhoni, the emerging cricket star for India has already proved his ability in Under 19 world cup and other limited over cricket. Without having a good technique his hard-hitting boundaries have already given India victory in couple of occasion. Today, he is probably the only batsman having the capability of hitting sixes to Yorkers.
Brenden McCullum is always busy in taking singles and hitting boundaries and that you have already seen in the series between Australia and New Zealand in which the Kiwis cleanly sweep the three match series. He is a great asset down the order for New Zealand.
Lets see who shines the most in World Cup 2007. |
