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Former England captain Joe Root etched his name into the record books by becoming the player with the most outfield catches in Test cricket. Root achieved the milestone during Day 2 of the third Test against India at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, surpassing India’s Rahul Dravid, who held the record for over a decade.
The moment arrived in the final session of play when Root pulled off a breathtaking catch at first slip, showcasing his elite reflexes and sharp anticipation. With this, he reached a historic tally of 211 catches in Test matches, solidifying his status as one of the greatest slip fielders in the game’s long history.
Joe Root’s sensational one-handed grab sends Karun Nair packing
Root’s record-breaking catch came off Ben Stokes’ bowling when Indian batter Karun Nair, batting on 40, edged one that flew towards the slip cordon. Positioned at first slip, Root reacted instantly, diving low to his left and grabbing the ball one-handed — a moment of brilliance that left both fans and players in awe.
It was the kind of catch that underlined Root’s extraordinary slip-fielding prowess, especially against fast bowlers. While he had equaled Dravid’s record earlier in the series at Headingley by catching Shardul Thakur off Josh Tongue’s bowling, he had to wait until the third Test to claim the top spot outright, having gone catchless in the second Test at Birmingham.
Top 5 players with most outfield catches in Test history
1) Joe Root – 211 catches*
Root’s fielding record is a testament to his incredible consistency and athleticism in the slip cordon. Having represented England in over a decade of Test cricket, Root has been a reliable presence at first slip, particularly against pace. His calm demeanor, strong reflexes, and excellent anticipation have earned him the top spot in the all-time list. With age still on his side, Root is likely to stretch his tally even further in the coming years.
2) Rahul Dravid – 210 catches
Renowned for his concentration and technique, Dravid was as effective a catcher as he was a batter. His trusted position at first slip made him an indispensable asset for Indian bowlers, especially the spinners. Over 164 Test matches, Dravid showcased incredible patience and precision, often pulling off low catches that demanded immense focus. His record stood unchallenged for years and reflected his all-round value to Indian cricket.
3) Mahela Jayawardene – 205 catches
One of the most graceful fielders in the modern era, Mahela Jayawardene had an uncanny knack for plucking catches out of nowhere. Frequently stationed at slip, especially during the spin-heavy spells of Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath, Jayawardene’s sharp reflexes and soft hands made him a standout. His coordination with Sangakkara behind the stumps created one of the most feared fielding combinations in Test cricket.
4) Steven Smith – 200 catches
From a leg-spinning all-rounder to a batting maestro, Steven Smith’s evolution has also included becoming one of the safest hands in Test cricket. Primarily stationed at second slip for Australia’s formidable pace attack, Smith’s unorthodox technique hasn’t hindered his effectiveness in the cordon. His sharp reflexes, athleticism, and unwavering focus make him a reliable catcher. Among active cricketers, Smith is currently behind only Root and is very much in the race to surpass him in the coming years.
5) Jacques Kallis – 200 catches
Arguably one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game, Jacques Kallis was also a dependable catcher in the slips and gully region. His strong hands and sharp judgement complemented South Africa’s fearsome pace attack. Kallis’ fielding was often overshadowed by his batting and bowling brilliance, but reaching 200 outfield catches underlines just how complete a cricketer he was.
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