Best Catcher in Test Cricket: Dravid, Smith, Kallis Ranked

Names like Rahul Dravid, Mark Waugh, Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis, Steve Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Joe Root always come up when we talk about the best slip fielders in history. Not just great batters, they were also reliable fielders who rarely missed a chance. Comparing these legends isn’t easy, but we've tried our best to find out who among the greats is the best. 

SB Market Index: How We Evaluate the Best Catchers in Test History

The SB Market Index ranks the best catchers in Test cricket by using two main things — stats and expert opinion. First, we look at the numbers: how many catches a player has taken and how often they take their chances (catching efficiency).

The Verdict: Kallis, Smith, and Dravid Lead the Way

Jacques Kallis tops the SB Market Index, even though he doesn’t have the highest SB Score (0.80). A perfect score in the Industry Insights section helped him reach the top. Kallis was mentioned by all 10 top cricket sources as one of the best catchers in Test cricket history. 
Steve Smith had the best SB Score (0.98) for his high catch rate and total catches. His positioning at first slip has made Steve Smith slip catching one of the finest in modern cricket. He stood second in the Industry Insights section, with mentions from 9 out of 10 sources. Rahul Dravid, still known as an exceptional slip fielder in Tests, came in close behind. His SB Score was 0.86, and he also got 9 mentions out of 10 in the Industry Insights section. Rahul Dravid catches, especially in the cordon, are fondly remembered. 

Analyzing the Specialists: Jayawardene, Fleming, and Waugh

Now talking about some of the other highly ranked players in our index. The likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Stephen Fleming, and Mark Waugh redefined slip-catching in Test cricket. 
Jayawardene, who once held the world record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Tests, ranks third on SB score with a score of 0.8986. Additionally, he was mentioned by nine out of 10 expert sources. More than two decades after his retirement, the former Sri Lankan cricketer still ranks third among players who have taken most catches in Test cricket history. 
Stephen Fleming, who played Tests from 1994 until 2008, was another excellent fielder at the slips. His SB Score is slightly better than Mahela’s at 0.90, and he has been mentioned in seven columns. With 171 catches in 111 Tests, he too finds a place among those with outstanding Test catching records.
Mark Waugh, who took 181 catches in 128 games, has also scored well - 0.83 SB Score and seven expert mentions. Waugh held the record for most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper until Rahul Dravid surpassed it in 2009. His name always comes up when we talk about the best slip fielders in history.

The Captains in the Slips: Ponting, Cook, and Smith

It’s no surprise that some of the top Test cricket fielders were also successful captains. Ricky Ponting, Alastair Cook, and Graeme Smith led from the front - quite literally, by fielding in the slips.
Ponting, often positioned at second slip, played 168 Tests and took 196 catches. His SB Score is 0.77, and he's been featured in seven out of 10 expert lists. With 48 wins in 77 Tests, Ponting is statistically regarded as one of the most successful Test captains. 
Alastair Cook, the first England player to win 50 Test matches, played 161 Tests and took 175 catches. His SB Score is 0.72, and he's received seven expert mentions. 
Graeme Smith, who led the Proteas in 109 Test matches (the most Tests captained by any player), took 169 catches in 117 games. His SB Score is 0.82 - one of the better ones - and like others on this list, his name also appears in discussions around Test catching records. He’s received seven mentions out of 10.