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we are ranking the Top 12 Best Fielders In Cricket History, Fielding is a big part of cricket that can decide if a team wins or loses. It’s when players catch the ball, stop runs, or throw it to get batters out. A fast fielder can make a match exciting with one quick move. For example, a diving catch or a direct throw to the stumps can stop the other team from scoring. We feel happy watching these moments because they show how much fielding matters. It’s not just about batting or bowling; fielding keeps the game alive and full of action. Every player on the field has a job to help the team.
Good fielders need many skills to be special. They must run fast to chase the ball and have strong hands to grab it tight. Throwing the ball far and straight is also important to hit the stumps. Being quick on their feet helps them move in any direction fast. Some fielders are great at catching high balls, while others stop shots along the ground. We notice their hard work when they jump or dive to save runs. These skills make the best fielders in cricket history stand out and help their teams in big ways.
How Fielding Has Grown in Cricket
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In the old days, fielding in cricket was not a big deal. Players stood in one spot and just tried to block the ball. They didn’t run much or dive like today. Back then, batting and bowling got more attention, and fielding was simple. Matches were slower, and teams didn’t worry about saving every run. We can imagine how calm it was on the field with less movement. Fielding wasn’t seen as a way to win games yet. It was just something players did while waiting for their turn to bat or bowl.
Now, fielding has changed a lot because cricket got faster. With one-day matches and T20 games, every run counts more. Players have to be fit and ready to jump, catch, and throw all the time. Modern fielders like Ravindra Jadeja and Glenn Phillips show how much effort goes into it. We get excited seeing them dive or make quick throws. Fielding is now a key part of winning, not just a small job. Teams practice it hard, and it makes cricket more fun to watch for everyone.
List of the Top 12 Best Fielders
The top 12 best fielders in cricket history are amazing players who changed games with their skills. Jonty Rhodes is a name we all know because of his fast run-outs and diving catches. Others, like Ricky Ponting and AB de Villiers, also made their mark with lots of catches. These fielders come from places like South Africa, Australia, and India. We feel proud thinking about how they worked hard to be the best. Their big moments on the field still make us cheer when we hear about them. This list shows the best fielders in cricket history who left a big impact.
Next, we have a table with all 12 fielders, showing their names, catches, matches, and countries. Looking at it, South Africa has four players, like Rhodes and Gibbs, which is a lot. Australia and New Zealand also have strong names. Most of these fielders played in the last few decades, proving fielding got bigger lately. We find it cool to see these facts laid out. The table helps us understand who the best fielders in cricket history are and where they come from.
Name Advertisements | Total Catches | Total Matches | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Jonty Rhodes | 105 in ODIs | 245 in ODIs | South Africa |
2. Ricky Ponting | 364 in international cricket | 560 in international cricket | Australia |
3. Paul Collingwood | 219 in international cricket | 301 in international cricket | England |
4. Herschelle Gibbs | 210 in international cricket | 361 in international cricket | South Africa |
5. AB de Villiers | 217 in international cricket | 420 in international cricket | South Africa |
6. Mahela Jayawardene | 218 in ODIs | 448 in ODIs | Sri Lanka |
102 in ODIs | 322 in international cricket | India | |
8. Ravindra Jadeja | 120 in international cricket | 280 in international cricket | India |
9. Andrew Symonds | 101 in ODIs | 238 in international cricket | Australia |
10. Brendon McCullum | 462 in international cricket | 432 in international cricket | New Zealand |
11. Faf du Plessis | 139 in international cricket | 262 in international cricket | South Africa |
12. Glenn Phillips | 77 in international cricket | 133 in international cricket | New Zealand |
Details of the Top 12 Fielders
Starting at number 12, Glenn Phillips from New Zealand took 77 catches in 133 matches. He amazed us with a one-handed catch against England in 2024. Faf du Plessis, ranked 11, has 139 catches in 262 matches and made a diving one-handed grab in 2018. Brendon McCullum, at 10, caught 462 balls in 432 matches with his bold style. Andrew Symonds, number 9, got 101 catches in ODIs and ran out Sachin Tendulkar in 2003. Ravindra Jadeja, ranked 8, has 120 catches in 280 matches with his strong throws. Suresh Raina, at 7, took 102 catches in ODIs and shone in the 2011 World Cup.
Now, at number 6, Mahela Jayawardene took 218 catches in 448 ODIs, the most in that format. He was steady in slips for Sri Lanka. AB de Villiers, ranked 5, has 217 catches in 420 matches and moved all over the field. Herschelle Gibbs, at 4, caught 210 balls in 361 matches and leaped high in 2007. Paul Collingwood, number 3, got 219 catches in 301 matches and ruled the slips. Ricky Ponting, at 2, took 364 catches in 560 matches and led Australia to World Cup wins. Jonty Rhodes, number 1, has 105 catches in ODIs and is the best fielder in cricket history.
Why Jonty Rhodes Stands Out
Jonty Rhodes, from South Africa, played 52 Tests and 245 ODIs, taking 105 catches in ODIs. He made fielding famous with his speed and daring moves. We still talk about how he jumped to catch balls or hit the stumps. His energy lifted his team and scared the batters. Rhodes turned fielding into something big, not just a small part of cricket. He played in the 1990s and early 2000s, showing everyone what a fielder could do. The best fielders in cricket history owe a lot to his style.
His biggest moment was in the 1992 World Cup when he ran out Inzamam-ul-Haq. He flew through the air to break the stumps, and we can’t forget that play. It helped South Africa win a huge game. Rhodes got the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1999 for his skills. In 2021, a university gave him an honorary doctorate for his work in cricket. We feel amazed by his talent every time we see old clips. Jonty Rhodes is the top name among the best fielders in cricket history.
What These Fielders Leave Behind
The top 12 best fielders in cricket history did more than just catch balls. They saved runs, got batters out, and helped their teams win big matches. Jonty Rhodes changed games with one dive, while Ricky Ponting took catches that sealed victories. We love how they made cricket more than just batting and bowling. Their hard work on the field gave their teams an edge. Every time they jumped or threw, the crowd got loud. These players proved fielding is a real weapon in cricket.
Today, young players watch these best fielders in cricket history and want to be like them. Glenn Phillips and Ravindra Jadeja show the new generation keeping the skills alive. Teams now train harder to field well because of what these 12 did. We feel hopeful knowing cricket will keep getting better with strong fielding. Their big catches and fast throws set an example for kids starting out. The future of the game looks bright thanks to these legends.