Storyline: Cricket is in good hands with its next generation of keepers. World-class players are making their mark on the world stage. Written by Donald, Australia
The crucial role of Keeper/Batsmen is often the most overlooked and
Courtesy: imgarcade.com
neglected position in a cricket team, especially in Test cricket. In this age it’s vital for a team to have a ‘more than handy’ gloveman, who can bat with the tail or anywhere in a batting lineup and keep up team morale, on and off the field.
If a keeper doesn’t perform with the bat the media are always quick to judge and scrutinise. As Aakash Chopra put it: “Apart from squatting, diving, catching and throwing all day, a wicketkeeper keeps the team together with his observations and chatter. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy.”
The unsung hearts of a team are starting: it’s a new era due to the older men putting aside their gloves. Two talented keepers–at similar stages in their Test careers–are Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan) and Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka).
28-year old Ahmed has just recently impressed in the Test Series against Sri Lanka. The eye-catching Pakistani, and the dominant 25-year old Sri Lankan, debuted in Tests early in 2010 and late 2011 respectively, both playing 17 Test matches since. Sarfraz has an amazing average of 46.91 with his highest score being 112; and Chandimal has an average of 41.38 with a high score of 116. The stroke playing number 7 and number 6 batsmen have equally made 6 fifties and 3 hundreds.
Sarfraz Ahmed (Photo courtesy india.com
Sarfraz has accumulated 1079 runs, which is 3 more than the Sri Lankan. Both Dinesh and Sarfraz also have similar records with both of them taking 32 catches. In the stumpings section of their careers, Ahmed has 5 more then Chandimal at 11.
The Sri Lankan and Pakistani have both already made their mark on the world stage and will be in the mix of bigger things to come.
Other keepers, who have already made an impact, are the Bangladeshi, Mushfiqur Rahim (28 years old) and the New Zealander, BJ Watling (29 years old). Twenty-two year old South African, Quinton de Kock, and 30- year old Indian Wriddiman Saha, are also promising keeper/batsmen, taking the reigns from MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers, respectively.
The next generation of keepers is in good hands. These world-class batsmen and glovemen are making their marks on the world stage.
