The man behind the stumps
The art of wicket-keeping
 A wicketkeeper is usually the most under-appreciated of the playing XI, constantly called upon to make vital contributions as a matter of routine and are called the backbone of the fielding unit setting the tone for energy levels and body language.
It is the most demanding job in cricket when you consider a keeper's span of concentration starts with the bowler's run-up and ends when the ball is dead. To this mental effort, add 540 squats, 90 trots of about 50 metres each, and about 200 short sprints every day.
Key skillsets that a good wicketkeeper has are great (read soft) hands, sharp reflexes and the right temperament.
Keeping to spinners
Standing up to the stumps requires special skills and it is often something that youngwicketkeepers really struggle with. The ideal stance of a wicketkeeper is one that gives him a full, uninterrupted view of the bowler. His inside foot (the one closer to the stumps) is about five centimetres outside the line of off stump and about two feet, or an arm's distance, behind. How far back he is from the stumps depends on the height of the player. The smaller the keeper, the closer he'll need to be to the stumps.
No matter what their height a keeper has no choice but to crouch fully while standing up to the wicket. The reason for staying crouched is to delay getting up for as long as possible, for it's easier to move upwards than down.
The keeper must start rising only after the ball has pitched, and must then move with the bounce.
Especially when standing up the keeper has the best seat in the box to judge the movement, pitch conditions, a batsman's strengths and weaknesses, a bowler's mistakes and so on, he must think and act like a leader. He is a constant source of information for the captain and the bowlers.
Keeping to fast bowlers
When standing back the wicketkeeper is also responsible for his team-mates at slip. They should ideally be the spot at which they receive a ball pitching on good length at about waist height.
The keeper's position should be such that they gets a full, uninterrupted view of the bowler, which means he has to place himself further outside the off stump for bowlers coming around the stumps.
It's very important to have the gloves fully unfurled while taking the ball. Snatching at the ball is a no-no. "Receiving" is the operative word. While the palm closer to the stumps should be in line with the ball, the outer palm must cover the possibility of an outside edge.
The head should also be in line with the ball as you move sideways to collect the ball. They should move in a straight line while keeping the inside leg as close to the stumps as possible in order to get back to the wicket when needed.
Wicketkeepers are also advised to "give" while receiving the ball, which means taking the arms back, using them as shock absorbers, while taking the ball.
Fielding General
A good wicketkeeper also makes the team look a better fielding unit. He may run up to the stumps urging the players to throw at him, even when the batsmen are not attempting a run; he might run up to collect a bad throw on the full or collect a poor throw cleanly. He possesses the power to boost the spirits of the team and keep the players on their toes.
NB This Article is modified from a blog posted on Cricinfo by Harsha Bogle.
|