Australian Tour to Sri Lanka - Jan 2025

[The Dark Knight]

71 overs out of 90 were spin and we still 20 minutes over time

Or you could say they finished 10 minutes early.

[The Dark Knight]

Alright i'm gonna say it.. Connolly has the biggest mouth I've ever seen.

One of his nicknames is Luna Park.

[The Dark Knight]

Smith surpassed Ponting today.

[Lightning McQueen]

Smith surpassed Ponting today.

I actually think he has the least safest hands out of the group in that photo, remarkable achievement though, he can pull off a blinder here and there.

Any takers on a list of safest hands they've seen?

Warnie, Warner up there?

Starc in the deep? It does hep having buckets hanging off of the end of his arms though.

[The Dark Knight]

Smith surpassed Ponting today.

I actually think he has the least safest hands out of the group in that photo, remarkable achievement though, he can pull off a blinder here and there.

Any takers on a list of safest hands they've seen?

Warnie, Warner up there?

Starc in the deep? It does hep having buckets hanging off of the end of his arms though.

The least safest hands yet he has the most catches in the second least tests of the group at the highest amount of catches per match? You'd have to find how many drops all of them had to know their catching percentage and how safe their hands were.

[am Bays]

Smith surpassed Ponting today.

I actually think he has the least safest hands out of the group in that photo, remarkable achievement though, he can pull off a blinder here and there.

Any takers on a list of safest hands they've seen?

Warnie, Warner up there?

Starc in the deep? It does hep having buckets hanging off of the end of his arms though.

Check in with Fleming first....

[Brodlach]

A caught/dropped ratio would be interesting

[Lightning McQueen]

A caught/dropped ratio would be interesting

That's what I was alluding to.

Hey TDK, your point is very valid, does he get more catching opportunities given the bowling strength we have had over the past decade vs yesteryear.

Also, Ponting and Border weren't full time slippers their whole career.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Add in Waugh wasn't always at slip along with Border/Ponting
Those 3 were better than Smith imo

[whufc]

A caught/dropped ratio would be interesting

The problem is even thats isnt a true indicator. A full length vertical one handed dive that touches the finger tips is not equal with a waist high out in front of the body drop.

[wenchbarwer]

Add in Waugh wasn't always at slip along with Border/Ponting
Those 3 were better than Smith imo

Smith makes the ridiculous look easy, and the easy look ridiculous at times.

IMO, Tubby Taylor & Junior Waugh are better slippers than Smudge.

As far safe hands, those two, Border, Symonds and Punter were top shelf. Cam Green shows great promise as well.

[DOC]

Best catchers seen In reply to TDK post above.

Bobbie Simpson was great and by reputation amongst his teammates and opponents was the best ever. No/ little TV unlike today. Can recall in his second stint during WSC was still a very reliable catcher at the age of 43ish when he would well and truly was slowed down.

For all fielders having taken 70 or more catches at Test level not one averages a catch an Innings but Simpson leads with 0.94 and Smith is close at 0.895

Ashley Mallett was a great catcher in the gully. I also think Mitchell Starc is a very safe outfielder.

Many factors in this that can’t be quantified such as degree of difficulty etc but that is the beauty. No right or wrong answers.

The list posted does highlight one thing. Mark Waugh is the only non Captain on it. Perhaps this indicates that his Captains rated him their best?

[Brodlach]

A caught/dropped ratio would be interesting

The problem is even thats isnt a true indicator. A full length vertical one handed dive that touches the finger tips is not equal with a waist high out in front of the body drop.

Agreed but some indicator.

It’s like olden days footy, was always harder to kick goals at Windy Hill than Victoria Park due to the wind. Always elements of difference

[Lightning McQueen]

Add in Waugh wasn't always at slip along with Border/Ponting
Those 3 were better than Smith imo

Smith makes the ridiculous look easy, and the easy look ridiculous at times.

IMO, Tubby Taylor & Junior Waugh are better slippers than Smudge.

As far safe hands, those two, Border, Symonds and Punter were top shelf. Cam Green shows great promise as well.

Correct in all aspects IMO. We probably remember Smith's stuff ups more than his regulation catches, he is an absolute freak on some occasions though.

[Down the Hill]

I can't recall Hayden, Hussey or Clarke dropping many. Australia continue to be blessed with great fielders and we have been the benchmark since Bobby Simpson made it a focus.

[amber_fluid]

I can't recall Hayden, Hussey or Clarke dropping many. Australia continue to be blessed with great fielders and we have been the benchmark since Bobby Simpson made it a focus.

Clarke is very underrated when talking about best batters, captains or fielders.
He’s right up there in all categories IMO

[locky801]

Simpson, M. Waugh and I Chappell the best 3 slippers i have been fortunate enough to see

Others mentioned in this thread all up there, Australia have been blessed for many years in our slip cordon

[wenchbarwer]

I can't recall Hayden, Hussey or Clarke dropping many. Australia continue to be blessed with great fielders and we have been the benchmark since Bobby Simpson made it a focus.

I seem to recall that Simpson employed a baseball manager as the fielding coach at the time, I thought it was Mike Young but he came along later in the piece.

AB and the Chappells were all fantastic baseballers, I know this had an influence.

[The Bedge]

Australia continue to be blessed with great fielders

This really is one of the key factors that makes Australia the best cricket country in the world year and year.

[Brodlach]

I can't recall Hayden, Hussey or Clarke dropping many. Australia continue to be blessed with great fielders and we have been the benchmark since Bobby Simpson made it a focus.

I seem to recall that Simpson employed a baseball manager as the fielding coach at the time, I thought it was Mike Young but he came along later in the piece.

AB and the Chappells were all fantastic baseballers, I know this had an influence.

Mike Young. Was good to listen to.

John Buchanan era?