The demand for a quality wicketkeeper-batsman has never been higher in Test cricket, as 2016 sees wicketkeepers average their highest score in a calendar year since 1900.
In 42 Tests over the course of 2016, 'keepers have averaged 40.79, the most in over 100 years.
England gloveman Jonny Bairstow leads all comers with 1355 runs from 15 Tests, and has hit the most runs by any wicketkeeper ever in a calendar year.
Not only that, but Bairstow has two Tests remaining in 2016, and needs 127 runs from those matches in order to become the highest run-getter for England in a calendar year, and will eclipse Michael Vaughan on 1481 in the process.
South African Quinton de Kock is also having a stellar year, as the 23-year-old has smashed six half-centuries in 2016, at an average of 65.44 this year.
Wicketkeepers with 300+ Test runs in 2016
Country | Innings | Runs | Average | |
Jonny Bairstow | England | 25 | 1355 | 64.52 |
Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 11 | 589 | 65.44 |
BJ Watling | New Zealand | 17 | 554 | 42.61 |
Sarfraz Ahmed | Pakistan | 15 | 426 | 30.42 |
Wriddhiman Saha | India | 11 | 366 | 40.66 |
Shane Dowrich | West Indies | 10 | 307 | 38.37 |