Best Fielders of all time | Cricketcriteria

Three best fielders of all time

'Catches win you matches'. This statement does hold true but it is a more specific version derived from a statement that has a rather broader meaning. The parent statement here should be, 'fielders win you matches'. Yes, you read that right. Catches are important, especially those which are plucked out of thin air and help you get that important wicket for your team. But what's equally important is when you help your side saves those crucial runs and inflict a run out with a quick release of the throw and let your team have an upper hand in the game. 

Fielding is a very crucial part of the game. Fielding is an attempt to catch or stop the ball it after it is hit by the batsman. At times it is less worked on compared to the batting and bowling departments but it can win matches. Present-day cricketers have understood the value of fielding, hence now all teams have a specialist fielding coach. They are trained specifically so that agility and speed becomes a force to reckon with on the field. Good fielding qualities always add to a team's overall performance, as batting and bowling are not the only criteria to win a cricket match. Flawless fielding adds beauty and grandeur to the gentleman's game. 

With this context, we take a look at the 3 greatest fielders of all time:

#1 Jonty Rhodes - South Africa

What Donald Bradman is to batting, Jonty Rhodes is to fielding. Rhodes is the cricketer who made people recognize fielding as an art and he was the greatest artist in this art. He was undoubtedly the best fielder in the history of cricket. In the field, his acrobatic movement was something unbelievable and real entertainment for the spectators.He could serve his team through his diving power, catching power and above all throwing capabilities which, Run Outs Many Great Batsmen and for sure, save many runs for his team. Jhonty is the only player who took 5 catches in an ODI match.  

He dazzled in the pitch with a great level of raw athleticism and fielding. Rhodes usually fielded at the cover point, the position where the ball clocked lightning speeds. He was an energetic fielder who could cover most of the ground. Hence, it is not an understatement to say that Jonty Rhodes is the God of Fielding. 

His “extraordinary fielding” brought up him into the limelight. He is best remembered for his diving run out to Inzamam-ul-Haq in 1992 world cups. Without any hesitation, he is the No#1 fielder in cricket.

#2 Suresh Raina - India

Suresh Raina, the left-hand batsman has been one of the greatest stars in the Indian Premier League. He broke into the Indian team in 2005 due to his brilliant performances in the domestic circuit. He was considered to be a perfect all-rounder to support the team. Raina is a live-wire in the field and has enhanced his reputation as one of the best fielders in Indian cricket. While Raina is exceptional inside the circle during the power-plays, he takes the duty of protecting the boundaries in the latter overs. The Uttar Pradesh's presence of mind on the field is rivaled by few. Raina's presence in the field also boasts the confidence of the bowlers. 

Jonty Rhodes also proclaimed that Suresh Raina as the best fielder in world cricket. He has taken a total of 150+catches in all the three formats of the game.

#3 Ricky Ponting - Australia

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain has been in plenty of demand all over the world for his excellent coaching skills. He is well-known known for his decisive stroke-play and great captaincy. Also, he is one of the greatest fielders ever to have played in the history of Australian cricket.

Added to that, he was a specialist fielder at the backward point and short-leg. In his career, he mostly fielded in the slip position and had plenty of memorable catches throughout his career. Despite retiring from international cricket five years ago, Ponting still holds the record of the most run-outs effected in all International cricket. He has 194 catches in tests and 160 catches in ODI's to his name.