Greatest Wicket Keepers of the Game

[Lillian Thomson]

Could Knott's batting have been considered the difference, though?

Certainly. I don't believe that Taylor was Knott's equal as a keeper, but if anyone did then Knott's batting would sway it in his favour - maybe even if Taylor was considered marginally better. But at that time without Knott in the frame Taylor would have played - today he wouldn't.

 

[fredfertang]

Certainly. I don't believe that Taylor was Knott's equal as a keeper, but if anyone did then Knott's batting would sway it in his favour - maybe even if Taylor was considered marginally better. But at that time without Knott in the frame Taylor would have played - today he wouldn't.

Neither do I - I think there was a perception amongst some that because Taylor was less flamboyant and more unobtrusive that he was somehow a better keeper. He was a very fine one, but at the end of the day he played for Derbyshire, who never had a spinner of note (except Venkat for a couple of seasons but the die was cast by then), and Knott kept superbly to Derek Underwood at Kent as well as for England.

 

[keeper]

Taylor was incredibly fluid in both his hand and body movement and the ball did indeed look like it 'melted' into his gloves. Purists thus liked to talk about him being superior to Knott. But Knott didn't miss a thing and could be spectacularly athletic as well. He was also of an era of standing up on sticky dogs. He really was excellent.

But we're not talking about a Bradman situation here. No-one was better than Knott imo but it doesn't mean others weren't around that sort of level. Didn't like the on-field personas of Jack Russell and Ian Healy but both had excellent hands and the former standing up to quicker bowlers was a sight to behold.

Standards have definitely declined as batting has become more important despite improvements in equipment.

 

[Redbacks]

Judging wicketkeepers is something that I'm loathe to do as I have absolutely no appreciation of what makes an outstanding keeper rather than a very good one.

Things where the oustanding keeper will be a few % better than a very good one.

-Concentration
-Anticipation
-Judging the ball
-Footwork

Over time I think these things can be picked up watching them play. A lot of the time a glorious dive looks like great keeping but a keeper with the superior skills above can move just as quickly with a good side step and thus take a simpler chance as they can keep their eyes on the ball.

 

[honestbharani]

Remember when Dinesh Karthik first broke into the side, he was an awesome keeper. He never had to dive much for the ball as his anticipation and footwork were so outstanding. He was always there covering the swing, spin, bounce and everything. Even the slight nicks, he never had to dive because he was already in position due to his outstanding ability to follow the ball earlier than most keepers, unlike Dhoni or Moin who used to dive around so much..

 

[kyear2]

on present form, has to be between jayawardena and baugh.

+1

 

[kyear2]

Derek Murray was extremely under rated, as is Adam Gilchrist as a pure keeper. Dont know how Marsh even entered the conversation as he was no better or worse that Dujon and Kimani and others from the era. Les Ames also is a name that is seldom mentioned that should be and also Godfrey Evans. As a keeper batsman though, Gilly then Knott and Ames not far behind.

 

[smash84]

Remember when Dinesh Karthik first broke into the side, he was an awesome keeper. He never had to dive much for the ball as his anticipation and footwork were so outstanding. He was always there covering the swing, spin, bounce and everything. Even the slight nicks, he never had to dive because he was already in position due to his outstanding ability to follow the ball earlier than most keepers, unlike Dhoni or Moin who used to dive around so much..

Rashid Latif was a fantastic wicket keeper.