In the great game of cricket, one no longer has a particular fixed role, for the demands of present day sport are dynamic and perhaps require more variations and changes than ever before. Which is why, off spinners hit useful runs from down the order. Think Sophie Ecclestone and Moeen Ali from the English camp; one a premier spinner and the other, a former England national cricketer. Then, there are batters up top who bowl as a fifth or sixth change. Think Roston Chase, in whose case, we have a captain who comes in at #5 or even 6 for his West Indies and when he doesn’t fire with the bat, which hasn’t really been a challenge for the Barbadian in limited overs cricket this year, he bowls commanding off spin as a useful third or fourth change bowler. But the role of the wicketkeeper, without much ado, has shifted from the gear of having been a traditionalist who ‘could’ or ‘could not’ make runs from someone who has to factor herself or himself in as a batter.
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Think of the iconic MS Dhoni from the time he was doing amazing stuff. Think Shai Hope in the current context of the West Indies white-ball set up; the right hander, doesn’t only score runs, keeps wickets, captains the side and usually does a great job in the first department whilst always maintaining consistency and agility in the other job he’s proudly taken up and rather selflessly so. That being told, who are the wicket-keeper to score most centuries in ODI cricket:
Kumar Sangakkara
The charisma, the finesse notwithstanding, here is and the most important factor that underlines ‘Sanga’; a trait that comes to underline those who are as rare as they come (think Kallis, Dravid, Steve Waugh and Chanderpaul): mental toughness!
The great left handed legend, who admires both Dravid and Lara, the latter his childhood idol or hero (as stated in several television statements/ interviews) hit 25 ODI tons. That’s beside the 38 he stroked with much style and grace in Test match cricket.
Quinton de Kock
Anyone who has hit 22 hundreds can’t ever be taken any lightly- can he? And then this is QDC, as he is called, a long time batting partner of none other than Hashim Amla and someone in whose class, technique and style, an entire Protea nation lauds and rightly so. What do you reckon?
Shai Hope
In life, our focus so often is on those who are the so called ‘number 1 or numero uno stars’. But having said that, what about the lesser appreciated? What about those who strive to perform, to excel and yet, get so less written about? The man who recently turned 32 is a cornerstone in West Indies cricket for the simple reason that his batting and attitude personifies pretty much all the usual traits that have spoiled Windies Cricket.
No name calling this!
In a team where instability, hard hitting, playing spin with vengeance, not application and thoughtfless decision making are so common, Shai Hope stands for focus and careful shot selection. He is already north of 5,900 One Day runs.
Wicketkeepers with the Most ODI tons
Quinton de Kock – 22 tons
Kumar Sangakkara – 23 tons
Shai Hope – 18, with 3 more he will equal Gayle and with just 1 more, he will draw level with Lara