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The
wicket-keeper stands behind the stumps at the
striking batsman's end. His is the most prominent
of the catching positions and although his
positioning can vary, he will almost always be
placed to receive the ball after it has pitched or
if the batsman has "edged" the delivery.
On very rare occasions, the wicket-keeper may be
asked to stand back on or near the boundary in
situations whereby a batting side requires a 4 or
more runs to win .
Because
he can potentially come into contact with
every ball bowled, the wicket-keeper is the
only fielder allowed to wear protective
gloves. Despite this, his hands are subject
to quite a beating and the protection
offered is often supplemented by padded
inner gloves. Many professional keepers have
been known to put steaks in their gloves to
act as a kind of second skin. Onion rings
and barbeque sauce are generally not used, however.
In
many ways, the wicket-keeper can act as a
second captain, due to his unique
perspective in the proceedings. He is
involved in every delivery bowled and from
his vantage point is able to see most of the
other fielders and can recommend fielding
changes. He is also best placed to discern
how well a bowler is performing or indeed a
batsman and can make suggestions to the
captain accordingly.
Equipment
Gloves
These
are usually made of leather and the face is
covered with dimpled rubber to assist catching.
The finger tips are protected by metal caps and
there is usually substantial padding at the
wrists. Between the thumb and the index finger is
a webbing. This webbing is not allowed elsewhere.
Pads
Sometimes
it is not always possible for a keeper to
receive the ball in his gloves. A low bounce
or throw may force him to stop the ball with
his legs. For this reason, keepers are
permitted to wear special leg pads, similar
(but shorter and less padded) to those worn
by a batsman. The protection offered by
these pads extends to just above the knee.
The cut down nature of them does not
restrict the keepers movement significantly.
Box
A
wicket-keeper will often (depending on his
own ability and the speed of the bowler)
stand up close to the stumps and this
inevitably reduces his reaction time. A
delivery may well find it's path obstructed
by testicles and the wearing of a protective
box (or cup) in that delicate area, is
generally regarded as essential.
Mouth
Most
wicket-keepers have a tendency to be
verbose. They along with bowlers, are the
persons most likely to indulge in "sledging"
and they also offer encouragement to bowlers
on most deliveries, often indulging in "positive
reinforcement". Some keepers do
their talking with an (in their view)
appropriate accent, for instance, Andy Meres
(Bon Accord C.C.) will adopt an Aussie
accent when a spinner is bowling ("Well
bowled, Shane!!") or even use Urdu when
one of his Asian colleagues is in action
("Shaabash Babu"). Because of
their frequent mouthiness, wicket-keepers
are generally perceived as the most annoying
cricketers.
Some
famous examples
Andy
Meres (Bon Accord C.C.) - A makeshift
keeper who despite being amongst the
quietest, still entertains/annoys with his
use of accents.
Dave
Grayson (Kintore C.C.) - The classic
example of the mouthy keeper, his thick
English accent adds to his abilities.
Steve
Dickie (Artisans C.C.) - Broad Doric
accent only and as likely to punch you in
the gob as sledge you.
Dave
Goulding (Kintore C.C.) - Eccentric.
Once stuffed a rubber chicken down his pants
just so he could do the classic "Do you
want to see my cock?" gag. Liverpudlian,
to boot.
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