Fielding is an indispensable part of cricket. A good fielder can turn the match around at any time. A batsman may score runs or may not, a bowler may take a wicket or not, but a good fielder will always save runs and take catches for his team. We have seen many instances in international cricket, where an outstanding catch has won a match by sending the mainstay of a team to the pavilion. Especially in test matches, fielders play huge role cause bowlers are dependent on the slip cordon. The most fascinating trait is most of the players who have taken the most catches in tests are slip fielders. Let’s contemplate the non-wicketkeepers with the most catches in test cricket.
Rahul Dravid
Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has taken the most catches in test cricket, with 210 catches in 164 matches. Dravid’s reflex is regarded as one of the best in the world. He has barely missed catches in his international career. He had great coordination with the leg spinner Anil Kumble, for Dravid it has been possible for Kumble to take many of his test wickets. Rahul Dravid has taken a maximum of 3 catches in an innings. Aptly known as “The Wall”, he amassed 13288 runs in the test.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene is one of the best fielders to ever play the game. He has taken the 2nd most number of catches in the history of test cricket, with 205 catches in 149 matches. It was very hard for the ball to escape from Jayawardene. He has grabbed 72 catches in Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling, which is the most common bowler-fielder combination in the tests. Four catches in an innings was his best fielding performance.
Jacques Kallis
The former South African all-rounder has grabbed the 3rd most number of catches in test cricket history. He has taken 200 catches in 164 matches. Kallis was a complete package on the field, whether it was bowling, batting, or fielding he was good in everything. Kallis was also a slip fielder like other top fielders on this list. He once took 4 catches in an innings of a test match. With the bat, the Proteas great has scored 13289 runs.
Ricky Ponting
Ex-Australian World cup winning captain Ricky Ponting has apprehended the 4th most number of catches in tests. He grabbed 196 catches in 168 matches. Ponting was spectacular to watch on the field. He used to fly to take catches like an eagle. The best fielder in cricket history, Jonty Rhodes even reckons him as one of the best fielders of all time. Three catches in an innings was his best fielding show.
Joe Root
One of the greatest cricketers in the modern era, Joe Root is not only impressive with the bat but is also a gun fielder. Being around for a decade now in the longest format of the game, Root has plucked 182 catches in 135 matches at a great catch/inn ratio of 0.713. The batting maestro is currently the 10th-highest run-getter in tests with 11416 runs at a stunning average of 50.29.
Mark Waugh
Ex-Australian batsman Mark Waugh has taken the 5th most number of catches in test cricket, 181 catches in 128 tests. His fielding was as excellent as his batting. He was a gun fielder. Mark Waugh has taken a maximum number of 4 catches in an innings of a test.
Alastair Cook
Along With being a fine opener, former English captain Alastair Cook was subtle in terms of taking catches in Test cricket. The highest run-getter for England in the test has grabbed 175 catches in 161 games. He used to stand in the slip cordon and Anderson and Broad mostly credit him for their wickets in the longest format of the game.
List of Players with Most Catches In Test Cricket
| Player | Matches | Catches | Max Catch (innings) |
| Rahul Dravid(India) | 165 | 210 | 3 |
| Mahela Jayawardene(Sri Lanka) | 149 | 205 | 4 |
| Jacques Kallis (South Africa) | 166 | 200 | 4 |
| Ricky Ponting (Australia) | 168 | 196 | 3 |
| Joe Root (England) | 135 | 182 | 4 |
| Mark Waugh (Australia) | 128 | 181 | 4 |
| Alastair Cook (England) | 161 | 175 | 3 |
| Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) | 111 | 171 | 5 |
| Graeme Smith (South Africa) | 117 | 169 | 5 |
| Brian Lara (West Indies) | 131 | 164 | 4 |
| Ross Taylor (New Zealand) | 112 | 163 | 3 |
| Mark Taylor (Australia) | 104 | 157 | 4 |
| Steve Smith (Australia) | 97 | 156 | 5 |
Rahul Dravid has taken the most catches in Test cricket, with 210 catches.
Rahul Dravid has taken the most catches in the test.
Joe Root has taken the most Test catches among active cricketers, with 182 catches in 135 games.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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