**Official** Australia in Sri Lanka Jan - Feb 2025

[Burgey]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

Charles Bannerman

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Steve Smith
Catches: 197
Matches: 116
Innings: 220
Average Catches per Match: 1.698
Average Catches per Innings: 0.895

Ricky Ponting
Catches: 196
Matches: 168
Innings: 328
Average Catches per Match: 1.166
Average Catches per Innings: 0.597

Mark Waugh
Catches: 181
Matches: 128
Innings: 245
Average Catches per Match: 1.414
Average Catches per Innings: 0.738

Mark Taylor
Catches: 157
Matches: 104
Innings: 197
Average Catches per Match: 1.509
Average Catches per Innings: 0.796

Allan Border
Catches: 156
Matches: 156
Innings: 277
Average Catches per Match: 1.000
Average Catches per Innings: 0.563

 

[halba]

Steve Smith
Catches: 197
Matches: 116
Innings: 220
Average Catches per Match: 1.698
Average Catches per Innings: 0.895

Ricky Ponting
Catches: 196
Matches: 168
Innings: 328
Average Catches per Match: 1.166
Average Catches per Innings: 0.597

stats explainable- ricky ponting had flatter wickets during his era, Smith had lots of tougher wickets for batters(especially in the past 5-6 years, early on he had flatter wickets) so more catches taken. Also the batters were better during Pontings era- he had to deal with peak Indian and South african batting units. SAF was basically a 2nd australia at times.

Pakistan, SL, even Windies all had proper batting lineups in those days, they dont now, theyre all basically minnows now.

Thats why its tough to compare different eras. Quality of the teams now are ***

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

stats explainable- ricky ponting had flatter wickets during his era, Smith had lots of tougher wickets for batters(especially in the past 5-6 years, early on he had flatter wickets) so more catches taken. Also the batters were better during Pontings era- he had to deal with peak Indian and South african batting units. SAF was basically a 2nd australia at times.

Pakistan, SL, even Windies all had proper batting lineups in those days, they dont now, theyre all basically minnows now.

Thats why its tough to compare different eras. Quality of the teams now are ***

Yes all correct but my stats were about catches taken, not about batting specifically.

 

[Victor Ian]

Taylor aside, I can remember long stints of the others in midfield. Has Smith been mostly slips?