Kumar Sangakara has taken legendary to another level after he scored his 4th consecutive century in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after making 124 against Scotland. He had earlier scored 105* against Bangladesh, 117* against England and 104 against Australia. This is a record not only for the World Cups but also for One day Internationals of all time. The contribution of a wicketkeeper coupled with his abilities as a batsman is worth its weight in gold.
In this post, we look at a list of 10 “forgotten” wicketkeeper batsmen who did not get their due:
1. Kennedy Otieno (Kenya)
Otieno was an integral part of the Kenyan team that reached the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup. He has played in three world cups for Kenya( 1996,1999 and 2003). He has scored 427 runs at an average of 22.47 in the 20 World Cup matches that he has played. He has effected 11 catches and 4 stumpings. His highest score is 85 against Australia in the 1999 edition.
2. David Houghton (Zimbabwe)
Like Otieno David Houghton represented his country in three World Cups(1983,1987 and 1992). He played 20 World Cup games and took 10 catches and 2 stumpings. His most memorable performance was a magnificent 142 off 137 balls against New Zealand in 1987.
3. Wasim Bari (Pakistan)
Wasim Bari played for Pakistan from 1967 to 1984 and has played 14 World Cup games for his country. He was an excellent wicketkeeper and took 18 catches and made 4 stumpings in all the World Cup games that he has played.
4. Rodney W Marsh (Australia)
Another great of the yesteryears, Marsh represent the Aussies in 11 matches in the World Cups. Before the likes of Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist took over, Marsh was the first to lay the foundation in the wicket keeper batsman culture in the country. He has scored 2 half centuries with an aggregate of 220 runs and took 17 catches and one stumping.
5. Deryck L Muray (West Indies)
Ever wondered who was the man ‘behind’ the stumps to the likes of the Marshall, Garner, Holding and company? It was this unsung hero by the name of Deryck L Murray. He played 9 matches in the World Cups for the men from the Caribbean and took 16 catches with a highest score of 61*.
6. David J Richardson (South Africa)
He is a very well known face in the cricketing world. Appointed the first General Manager of the ICC in 2002 and a decade later its Chief Executive, Richardson also has a distinguished record as a wicket keeper for the Proteas in the World Cups. In the 9 World Cup games that he has played he took 14 catches and also a solitary stumping.
7. Ashish Bagai (Canada)
Represented his country in the last World Cup, he could not display his talent this time around as Canada failed to qualify for the 2015 World Cup. He was also the captain of his side for 6 games and altogether he has played 15 matches in the mega event and has a record of taking 19 catches and effecting 2 stumpings. All together he has amassed 343 runs at an average of 26.38 and has scored 2 half centuries.
8. Peter J L Dujon (West Indies)
Another West Indian great, Peter Dujon was one of the finest keepers to have come from the island nation. In the 14 matches that he has played in the World Cups he was responsible for 20 dismissals which included 19 catches and one stumping.
9. Nayan Mongia (India)
It will be unfair to say that the ever ‘chirpy’ Nayan Mongia is a forgotten entity in Indian cricket but he deserves a mention as he held guard for his country in 14 World Cup matches. Mongia was instrumental in all of India’s successes as he took 12 catches and made 4 stumpings. The stumpings in his case were more as India relied more on spinners as bowling options in the times Mongia had played.
10. Rashid Latif (Pakistan)
If one has to go down memory lane on the recent Pakistani wicketkeepers then the first name that comes to mind is that of Moin Khan. But it was Rashid Latif who kept wickets for Pakistan for a long time to the likes of Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib and Saqlain. All in all he took 14 catches and made 3 stumpings . He was also appointed the captain of Pakistan in 1998 and 2003.
