In cricket, the player who rarely drops a catch is a 'fielder with safe hands.’ We have seen many fielders from Ireland impress viewers with their fielding performance. They enjoy the elements of fielding which are, running, throwing, and catching. Today, we will rank the top ten Ireland cricketers with the most catches in their career.
10. Stuart Thompson
Stuart Thompson is a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler. He played his first international cricket match in an ODI against Scotland in 2013. Overall, Stuart has two half-centuries and 40 wickets on a global level. With 31 catches in his career, Stuart is in the tenth spot.
9. John Mooney
John Mooney is a former all-rounder with left-handed batting and right-arm medium-fast bowling. He was the captain of the under-19 Ireland National Cricket Team in 2000. For taking 32 catches in his career, John is in the ninth position on the list. He played 91 International matches for Ireland and took retirement in 2015.
8. Boyd Rankin
Boyd Rankin is a former right-arm medium-fast bowler who played for both Ireland and England on an international level. He played test cricket for England and Ireland. Rankin was a part of the T20 and 50 overs cricket teams. In his 128 matches career, Rankin took 169 International wickets and 33 catches. Hence, he makes it into the eighth position on the list.
7. Trent Johnston
Trent Johnston is an Irish former cricketer but was born in Australia. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler. Trent was the captain of the Ireland cricket team and a regular player on an international level. In his career, he took 98 wickets and 34 catches.
6. Gary Wilson
Gary Wilson is a former wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman who played in all three formats of cricket for Ireland. He played his first ODI in June 2007 against India. After 15 years of cricket, Gary took retirement in March 2021. He is in the sixth spot for his 35 catches in his career.
5. Andrew Balbirnie
Andrew Balbirnie is a right-handed top-order batsman. He is the skipper of the Ireland Cricket Team in all formats. He has 18 half-centuries and seven centuries in his international career. He represented Ireland for the first time in July 2010 against Scotland. He is in the fifth position on the list with 54 catches in his career.
4. Paul Stirling
Paul Stirling is a right-handed opening batsman and right-arm off-break bowler. He was a part of Ireland's first-ever test cricket team against Pakistan in 2018. Recently, Paul became the first Ireland batsman to score 5,000 runs in ODIs. He is in the fourth spot with 78 catches in his career to date.
3. George Dockrell
George Dockrell is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and right-handed batsman. With 79 catches, he is in the third spot on the list. In 185 International matches, he had 170 wickets to date. After showing an excellent performance in the 2010 ICC World T20, he became a worthy spin bowler for the Ireland cricket team.
2. William Porterfield
William Porterfield is a left-handed opening batsman and considered one of the greatest Irish cricket players. He was the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in the T20I format for Ireland. With 90 catches in his international career, William is in the second position on the list. He has 11 centuries and 18 half-centuries in ODIs.
1. Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O'Brien is a right-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler. He is popularly known for his fastest century ever in the ODI world cup (in 50 balls). With 105 catches in his career, he makes it into the top position on the list. He was the first cricketer for Ireland to take 100 wickets in ODI cricket.
