Cricket
Who is the Best Fielder in the World?
Fielding is an underrated art and the artists behind it deserve heaps of applause. Indulge in a statistical breakdown of the best fielders in cricket history and who stands out from the rest.
Jonty Rhodes//Getty Images
There’s a saying in cricket that “catches win matches.” The phrase has only gained popularity in the last couple of decades, with plenty of cricketers nailing the art of fielding. This skill wasn’t taken too seriously until the 21st century when players such as Jonty Rhodes, Ricky Ponting, Herschelle Gibbs, etc. started to make a huge impact on the outcome of a contest by putting their bodies on the line.
The evolution of white ball cricket has only improved the focus on fielding. One of the prime examples could be the inclusion of the best fielder medals in numerous post-match ceremonies. From making difficult catches look easy to nailing improbable direct hits, the world around the 22 yards has witnessed some outstanding fielding efforts in the recent past. It has often prompted the ‘best fielder in the world’ debate leading to the rise of multiple nominees.
Since arguments could be subjective, we take an analytical path using the ‘SportsBoom Metascale’ to rank the world’s best fielders.
Methodology
To determine the best fielder in cricket history, we take three primary metrics into account. Firstly, we introduce the total catches (Ct) taken by the cricketer which has 80% weightage to highlight the player’s consistency and lasting impression over a career. Secondly, we consider the maximum catches taken in an innings (Max Ct). This gives us an idea of the incredible nature of the cricketer in a particular game. Last but not least, the ‘catches per innings’ value is taken into account to evaluate the player’s reliability in the field. In the end, all the raw values undergo scaling and normalization to yield the final score of the cricketers. This helps in maintaining fairness across the list of best fielders.
Analytical Breakdown
| Players | Ct | Max Ct | Ct/Inn | Ct Score | Max Score | CT/Inn Score | Final Score |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 440 | 4 | 0.572 | 80.00 | 8.00 | 5.72 | 93.72 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 364 | 3 | 0.507 | 66.18 | 6.00 | 5.07 | 77.25 |
| Ross Taylor (NZ) | 351 | 4 | 0.642 | 63.82 | 8.00 | 6.42 | 78.24 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | 338 | 4 | 0.509 | 61.45 | 8.00 | 5.09 | 74.54 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | 334 | 4 | 0.584 | 60.73 | 8.00 | 5.84 | 74.57 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 320 | 3 | 0.498 | 58.18 | 6.00 | 4.98 | 69.16 |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 310 | 5 | 0.706 | 56.36 | 6.00 | 7.06 | 73.42 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 308 | 4 | 0.639 | 56.00 | 8.00 | 6.39 | 70.39 |
| Stephen Fleeming (NZ) | 306 | 5 | 0.637 | 55.64 | 10.00 | 6.37 | 72.01 |
The above list includes the world's best fielders with former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene bucketing most catches (440) across formats. As we hover from top to bottom in the table, the number of catches decreases. But that doesn’t mean they’re less good in the field. Some may have played fewer games or have a lower ‘Max Ct’ value, which would indirectly affect the results. This is where the ‘SportsBoom Metascale’ comes into play where each of the three above-mentioned metrics are taken into account in ranking the world’s best fielders.
Results
| No. |
|
| Max | Ct/Inn
| Final Score | ||||
| 1 | Mahela Jayawardene | 440 | 4 | 0.572 | 93.72 | ||||
| 2 | Ross Taylor | 351 | 4 | 0.642 | 78.24 | ||||
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | 364 | 3 | 0.507 | 77.25 | ||||
| 4 | Rahul Dravid | 334 | 4 | 0.584 | 74.57 | ||||
| 5 | Jacques Kallis | 338 | 4 | 0.509 | 74.54 | ||||
| 6 | Steve Smith | 310 | 5 | 0.706 | 73.42 | ||||
| 7 | Stephen Fleeming | 306 | 5 | 0.637 | 72.01 | ||||
| 8 | Joe Root | 308 | 4 | 0.639 | 70.39 | ||||
| 9 | Virat Kohli | 320 | 3 | 0.498 | 69.16 |
After implementing the aforementioned SportsBoom Metascale procedure, Jayawardene remains atop with a 93.72 score. Ross Taylor, who had a lesser number of catches than Ricky Ponting surged up to the second spot with a score of 78.23 due to normalization, and scaling. There is nearly a point’s difference separating the Trans-Tasmanian rivals, similar to a trend shared between Indian great Rahul Dravid and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
It is also worth stating that Indian mainstay Virat Kohli ratings have dropped three positions to the ninth. Since he was an all-format cricketer until the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kohli played a whooping number of matches, relatively higher than that of Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Stephen Fleming. But his catch per innings numbers didn’t quite match others, affecting his final score (69.16).
1. Mahela Jayawardene
The former Sri Lankan captain was one of the mainstays in the red and white-ball formats for the Island nation during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He played a pivotal part in their 2014 T20 World Cup triumph by defeating India. In addition, the stalwart won three Asia Cups, one Champions Trophy (2002), and the 2001-2002 Asian Championship with Sri Lanka.
In his 18-year career, Jayawardene mustered 25957 runs in 652 matches with 54 centuries and 136 fifties. Apart from his terrific batting, the elegant batter was known for his in-ring fielding as well. Probably, one of the best at the slip cordon, Jayawardene took as many as 440 catches in his career. The Lankan star has not just tasted success during his cricketing days but also as a coach. Under his stewardship, the Mumbai Indians won three IPL titles and the Southern Brace were triumphant in the Men’s Hundred.
2. Ross Taylor
One of the greats from New Zealand shores, Ross Taylor was a superlative middle-order batter who was known for his composure and clutch knocks. He stockpiled 18199 runs across 450 international games with an average of 42.72.
Known for his stunning pulls and gorgeous sweeps, Taylor was the first cricketer to play 100 matches in all three formats of the sport. He was stunning at home conditions and also captained the New Zealand cricket team in his 15-year career.
Taylor was one of the safest hands at the slip cordon in the Black Caps cricket circuit. He has bagged as many as 351 catches, the most by a New Zealand cricketer.
3. Ricky Ponting
Known for his aggressive mindset, Ricky Ponting is known to be one of the great cricketing minds in the world. Not only was he an outstanding batter but also an excellent leader. Statistically, he is one of the most successful captains that the cricket world has ever seen. Ponting led Australia to World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, and Champions Trophy silverware in 2006 and 2009. He was also a part of Australia’s winning campaign under Steve Waugh in 1999.
The Tasmanian star was renowned for his amazing pull shots, trailing an everlasting impact in the audience’s memory. He stockpiled 27483 runs at 45.95 spanning over 560 international matches. Apart from his batting and leadership skills, the right-hander was an excellent fielder. He was as safe as home, giving the bowlers luxury when the ball was around him. Ponting was superb in the slip cordon and inside the 30-yard circle, having bucketed 364 catches across formats.
4. Rahul Dravid
Popularly known as ‘Mr Dependable’ or ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid used to be one of the most orthodox-natured cricketers in the world. He was one of the most proficient batters during his era and played a pivotal role in India’s success in Tests—home and away.
Dravid has smashed over 10000 runs in both ODIs and Tests for India and is the third-highest run-getter for the tri-coloured nation across formats after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He was a team man and donned the role of a wicketkeeper during the 2003 World Cup when there was a scarcity. Following his cricketing career, Dravid served as the coach of IPL franchises – Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils. Under his guidance, the India U-19 team won the U19 World Cup in 2018 and became the runners-up in 2016. The Men’s team won the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Asia Cup apart from finishing as the runners-up in the World Test Championship 2021-23 and the Cricket World Cup.
5. Jacques Kallis
One of the top all-rounders that ever played the sport, Jacques Kallis was as good with the ball as he was with the bat. He broke into the Proteas team in 1995 and since then dominated the sport for 19 years across three formats.
Kallis has mustered over 10000 runs in both Tests and ODIs while he has featured in the T20I format at the cue end of his illustrious career. With the ball, the all-rounder snared 577 wickets across the three formats. He is one of the rare players to have centuries in each Test innings. In addition, Kallis has also earned the most Player of the Match (23) awards in Tests.
The Protea also played considerable amount of franchise cricket with his best coming with the Kolkata Knight Riders between 2011-2014. Previously, he was a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise for the first three years. He also represented the Sydney Thunder in BBL, Cape Cobras in Champions League T20 and the Trinidad and Trinbago Red Steel in the CPL.
6. Steve Smith
The Australian mainstay forms one-fourth of the ‘Fab Four’ in modern cricket. When it comes to the greatest batters to play in whites, Steve Smith is one of the names that pop up in the human mind.
Smith’s journey into a formidable batter is one for the ages. He started off as a wrist spinner, and grew leaps and bounds under the great Shane Warne’s guidance. However, his batting improved with time and Smith was fast-tracked at the middle order from a no. 8 by 2013.
The 35-year-old has smashed 45 centuries across formats since then with 33 off them in the red-ball format itself. After the great Don Bradman and Ricky Ponting, Smith is their next batter to arrive from the Oz shores. Apart from his unique batting, Smith is also a great fielder, having taken blinder of catches in his exemplary career. He has bucketed 310 catches with a maximum of five grasps on a particular day.
7. Stephen Fleming
One of the great captains of New Zealand, Stephen Fleeming broke into the limelight after making national debut in 1994. He had the left-hander’s elegance written over his strokeplay. But nine Test centuries certainly undermine the batter he was during his playing days.
Fleeming has smashed 7000 Test runs, and is one of the best to feature for the Black Caps. More than a batter, Fleeming has gained worldwide attention due to his T20 strategy. The southpaw has won five silverwares with CSK in the IPL after his lone season with them in 2008.
8. Joe Root
If not the best, Joe Root is probably one of the top cricketing productions from the English cricketing arena. Be it the classy cover drives or the sumptuous square cuts and back-foot punches, Root is perhaps one of the best batters in modern day cricket.
Having pummelled 36 Test tons in his lucrative career, Root is leading the centuries chart in the fab four that consists of Kohli, Smith and Kane Williamson. Following Sir Alaistair Cook’s retirement in the 2016-17 India series, the 33-year-old took charge of the English team and scored bulk of the runs in Tests. Currently, his numbers read 12972, globally the fifth-highest, after Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
Apart from his batting, Root is well known for his part-time spin. But with time, his finger spin developed to such an extent that often he played the role of a second spinner in subcontinent conditions. Goes without saying, Root is also a fantastic fielder, having offered 308 wickets to his teammates with his catching.
9. Virat Kohli
If Sachin Tendulkar was considered the ‘God of Cricket’, there was a Virat Kohli waiting to succeed him in a similar role in Indian cricket. Aloof from the calm persona cemented by MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Delhi-born reignited the aggressive mindset that once Sourav Ganguly kindled in Indian cricket.
Kohli’s superlative batting quite often radiated his hunger for runs, and the fact that he is the third-highest century-getter in the world speaks volumes about it. In 541 matches played until the third Test against Australia, the 36-year-old stalwart has racked up 27260 runs at an average of 52.62.
Initially, India had great batters and spinners but lacked competitiveness as a fast-bowling unit. Under Kohli’s leadership, the Indian pace community transformed to another level, matching the bests in the world neck-to-neck. He was also very successful in overseas conditions, having won the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2018, Test matches in England and South Africa.
Barring his batting and captaincy, Kohli bowls wrong-footed medium pace but tasted little success. However, he is a gun fielder – outfield and in-field – having taken 320 international catches so far.
Honourable Mentions
While the above list mostly includes top players who had great longevity, few athletes deserve a mention due to their everlasting impact on the field. Here are some of those names who deserve a mention when it comes to the art of fielding.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia)
- Jonty Rhodes (South Africa)
- Paul Collingwood (England)
- AB de Villiers (South Africa)
- Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa)
SportsBoom Suggest
All in all, if there was a best fielder medal in cricket, Jayawardene would stand tall at the podium. Thanks to the in-depth analysis using the SportsBoom Metascale that dives beyond surface-level statistics to unearth real values and highlight the deserving candidate.
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Arijit, a young Sports Journalist, can be best described as a cricket nerd, who cherishes the wooden sphere beating the edge of the bat more often than a six middled off the willow.