Apart from batting and bowling, fielding is also a crucial part of the game of cricket. Especially in Test cricket, it becomes a challenging task as the players have to field throughout the day or even continue the same for the next day. However, there are still many players who have excelled in their fielding skills in Test cricket.
There have been many great fielders in Test cricket who didn’t let the ball slip if it comes in their way. Apart from their batting and bowling, they also excelled in the field and took some brilliant catches throughout their career. Here is the list of top 10 players to take most catches in Test cricket.
Most Catches in Test Cricket
10. Graeme Smith – 169 Catches
Former South African skipper Graeme Smith has played a monumental role in the Proteas domination in the longest format of the game in the early 2010s. With 9265 runs, Smith is one of the greatest Test cricketers for South Africa. Apart from that, he excelled in his fielding skills taking 169 catches from 117 Test matches of his career.
9. Stephen Fleming – 171 Catches
Stephen Fleming has been one of the great players to play for the New Zealand cricket team. He was the first batter to achieve the milestone of 7000 runs for New Zealand. The former cricketer has amassed 7172 runs from 111 matches in the longest format. Apart from that, Fleming is also among the best fielders and took 171 catches in his Test career.
8. Alastair Cook – 175 Catches
Alastair Cook has been one of the finest players in Test cricket for England. The former English skipper, is the all-time highest run scorer for England in Test cricket with 12472 runs in 161 matches. Talking about his fielding skills, Cook has taken 175 catches in his Test career.
7. Mark Waugh – 181 Catches
Former Australian all-rounder Mark Waugh is the seventh player in the list to take most catches in Test cricket. He has scored over 8000 runs in Test cricket and was known for his power-hitting abilities. He has taken 181 catches from 128 matches in his Test career.
6. Steve Smith – 183 Catches
Australia’s Steve Smith is one of the finest Test players in modern-day cricket. He has mastered the art of scoring runs in Test cricket and is not far away from the milestone of 10000 runs in the longest format for Australia. Apart from that, Smith is also regarded as one of the best fielders of the Australian cricket team and has taken 183 catches from 109 matches in his Test career so far.
5. Ricky Ponting – 196 Catches
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is the fifth player in the list to take most catches in Test cricket. Ponting was known for his aggressive captaincy and is also the highest run scorer in Test cricket for Australia with 13378 runs in 168 Test matches. Ponting has also been impressive with his fielding skills and has taken 196 catches in his Test career.
4. Joe Root – 196
Arguably the best Test batsman among active cricketers, Joe Root has already on his way to become the legend of England Test team. He has scored 12027 runs from 161 Test matches in his career so far and is likely to surpass Alastair Cook to become the all time leading run scorer for England in Test cricket. Root is also one of the fielders in the current generation known for taking sharp catches at the slip. He has taken a total 196 catches so far in his Test career.
3. Jacques Kallis – 200 Catches
Former South African cricketer Jacques Kallis is the third player in the list to take most catches in Test cricket. He is regarded as the greatest all rounder of all time and has also been among the fielders of cricket. Kallis has taken 200 catches from 166 matches in his Test career.
2. Mahela Jayawardene – 205 Catches
Sri Lanka’s batting great Mahela Jayawardene has taken the second most catches in Test cricket. He has been a constant run getter in the longest format and was also a great fielder. He has taken 205 catches in 149 Test matches of his career.
1. Rahul Dravid – 210 Catches
Former Indian skipper and wicketkeeper batter Rahul Dravid has taken all time most catches in Test cricket. He was among the best Test players for India and was known for his solid defense. He also impressed with his wicket keeping skills and has taken many catches behind the wicket. Dravid has taken a total 210 catches from 164 Test matches in his career.