Written by: Ankit Yadav
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Cricket is a match that includes many facets; some, like fielding, are the life of the match. A brilliant fielder can turn the match in the last minutes. 

Great fielders not only save runs but also create more opportunities and encourage team morale.

In this article, you will learn about the best fielders in cricket history, their incredible fielding skills, abilities, awards, notable performances, and more. 

10 Best Fielders In Cricket: In A Nutshell (2024)

Before we get into the details, let’s take a quick look at our top 11 fielders, their catches, total matches, and which country they belong to. 

NameTotal CatchesTotal MatchesCountry
Jonty Rhodes105 in ODIs245 in ODIsSouth Africa
Ricky Ponting364 in international cricket560 in international cricketAustralia
Paul Collingwood219 in international cricket301 in international cricketEngland
Herschelle Gibbs210 in international cricket361 in international cricketSouth Africa
AB de Villiers217 in international cricket420 in international cricketSouth Africa
Suresh Raina102 in ODIs322 in international cricketIndia
Ravindra Jadeja120 in international cricket280 in international cricketIndia
Andrew Symonds101 in ODIs238 in international cricketAustralia
Brendon McCullum462 in international cricket432 in international cricketNew Zealand
Faf du Plessis139 in international cricket262 in international cricketSouth Africa
Glenn Phillips77 in international cricket133 In international cricketNew Zealand

Now, when you have the list of top eleven fielders, take a closer look at each fielder. We will discuss their career, notable performances, and contributions to cricket. 

1. Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes

He is a former South African cricketer widely famous for his exceptional fielding skills. He played 52 tests and 245 ODIs for South Africa. He was known for his acrobatic diving catches and lighting fast run-outs.

In the 1992 World Cup, he run-out Inzamam-ul-Haq, where he flew through the air to break the stumps. He was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1999. And got an honorary doctorate from Invertis University in 2021 for contribution to cricket. 

2. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting

He is one of Australia’s greatest cricketers. Ricky Ponting is famous for his fielding skills, mainly in slips and close-in positions. He took 364 catches in International Cricket, showcasing his exceptional fielding ability. 

One notable achievement is leading Australia to two World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007. His memorable run-out against India in 2003 is still celebrated. He was appointed to the ICC Hall of Fame and received various awards, like the Allan Border Medal. 

3. Paul Collingwood

Paul Collingwood

He is an excellent English cricketer, a master in the slips, at points, and in the outfield. His notable achievements include leading England to their first ICC trophy, the 2010 World Twenty20. 

He set the highest benchmark with consistency and athleticism. For his service to cricket, he received the MBE award and became one of the most respected fielders. 

4. Herschelle Gibbs

Herschelle Gibbs

He is one of the best cricketers in South Africa, known for his catches and contributions through his fielding. His memorable catches came in the 2007 World Cup when he leaped high at the boundary and out Jacques Kallis. 

He played a key role in the late 1990s and early 2000s, scoring three consecutive centuries in ODIs. His contribution was exceptional in building the Proteas into one of the best fielding units in world cricket. 

5. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

He is known as “Mr. 360” for his unique batting and excellent fielding skills. In his career, he has taken 176 catches in ODIs and 222 in Tests.

His catching style, saves, and versatility made him the best player in the field. He was named ICC ODI Player of the Year three times. 

6. Suresh Raina’

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina played a huge role in improving India’s fielding standards. India’s 2011 World Cup quarterfinal against Australia was a memorable moment. He is known for his agility and quick reflexes. 

He is excellent in the inner circle, mainly in the back point. Suresh Raina was awarded the CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year in 2011. 

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravinder Jadeja is a hero on the cricket field. He is famous for his all-round fielding skills, arm strength, and accuracy. His impact on T20 cricket fielding is unforgettable, including stunning catches and run-outs. 

His quick reflexes and excellent judgment of the ball’s route have earned him the nickname “Sir Jadeja.” He received many awards, including the ICC Test Player of the Year award in 2019. 

8. Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds

He is an Australian cricketer known for the physical attributes that contributed to his fielding career. One notable fielding performance is his run-out of Sachin Tendulkar in the 2003 World Cup.

In the same match, he took a stunning catch running backward to out Robin Uthappa. He was awarded the Allan Border Medal in 2008.

9. Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum was famous for his aggressive fielding approach, which boosted the team’s energy level. As a leader, he focused on the importance of excellent fielding and established New Zealand as one of the best fielding sides in cricket. 

He was famous for his diving catches and acrobatic saves, which became regular features of New Zealand’s team. He was awarded the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2015. 

10. Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis

He is famous for his consistency in fielding and excellent catches. In the Test match against Australia in 2018, he took a one-handed diving catch at second slip to out Peter Handscomb.  

He got the South African Cricketer of the Year award in 2019. 

11. Glenn Phillips

Source: Instagram

Glenn Phillips, the dynamic all-rounder from New Zealand, has made an impressive impact in international cricket with 133 matches and 77 catches to his name.

Recently, he showcased his exceptional fielding skills during the first Test against England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, where he took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Ollie Pope, breaking a formidable 151-run partnership. Phillips continues to be a key player for the Kiwis, consistently demonstrating his prowess both with the bat and in the field.

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Conclusion: Jonty Rhodes Is The Best Fielder In Cricket History!

Jonty Rhodes stands out at first among the top eleven folders in cricket history. His exceptional catching, run-outs, and different fielding approaches make him the best. 

He showed that a great fielder can change the whole match. These ten best fielders in cricket history have shown excellent fielding skills and inspired future generations to push the boundaries. 

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About the Author

Meet Ankit Yadav, a dedicated cricket analyst at The Cricket Panda. Growing up playing street leagues and college tournaments, Ankit's love for cricket has been a lifelong journey. With a knack for numbers and a talent for data analysis, he brings a unique perspective to cricket reporting. At The Cricket Panda, Ankit combines his passion for cricket with his expertise in data analysis to provide fans with in-depth insights and comprehensive coverage of the sport.

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