We have had some of the world’s best captains, as well as excellent batsmen, bowlers, and fielders, but only 33 wicket keepers in our history. While many players are exceptional all-rounders, wicketkeepers are a breed unto themselves. We will discuss the top ten best Australian cricket wicketkeepers in history who have excelled behind the Australian stumps.
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist can be found on any list of the top ten best Australian wicketkeepers! He began his ODI career in 1996, but his Test debut came against Pakistan in 1999, where he shone brightly. He was one of Australia’s best opening batsmen, but as a wicketkeeper, he was equally destructive and feared. With ten catches in the third New Zealand Test in 2000, he holds the record for the most catches in Australian history. When he retired, he had 416 dismissals in Test cricket and 417 catches in ODIs.
Haddin, Brad
Brad Haddin began his Test career against the West Indies in 2008, and despite being an experienced player who began with One Day Internationals in 2001, he was the automatic replacement when Gilchrist retired. For seven years, he was the Australian wicketkeeper, with 270 dismissals in Tests and 181 in ODIs.
Ian Healy
Ian Healy started his Test cricket career in 1988 and while he was useful as a batsman, he was one of the best wicketkeepers in Australian history and at the time he was the best in the world too. He finished his great career with 395 catches in 119 Tests, while he also had 194 dismissals in 168 ODIs.
Marsh, Rodney
Rodney Marsh was called up to the Australian Test team for his batting abilities, but after an unsuccessful stint behind the stumps, he went on to become one of the best in history. He had some of the most spectacular catches, and when he retired, he had 343 catches in 96 Tests and 120 in 92 One-Day Internationals.
Oldfield, Bert
Bert Oldfield was an excellent wicketkeeper for Australia from 1920 to 1937. At the time, he was also the best of all time, and he is the player who developed the wicketkeeping technique that influenced other top wicketkeepers such as Adam Gilchrist and Phil Emery.