Top 3 bowlers with most caught and bowled dismissals
A bowler will leave no stone unturned to pick up a wicket everytime the captain asks him to bowl an over. In the process, sometimes he has to fall back on his own fielding skills to dismiss the batsman.
A caught and bowled dismissal is a rare way to get out in cricket but for a bowler, nothing can be more satisfying. When such a thing happens, it means the bowler not only deceived the batsman but also showed alertness to complete the catch in the follow through.
Let us find out about the top three bowlers who have executed the most number of 'caught and bowled' dismissals in international cricket. It is no coincidence that all of them happen to be spinners!
#1 Muttiah Muralitharan
The "spin wizard" from the island nation of Sri Lanka, who holds the record for the most number of wickets in test cricket with 800 scalps to his name, has completed a staggering 70 caught and bowled dismissals in his international career.
Interestingly, Muralitharan was not regarded as a sharp fielder in his time. But he is on top of the list for taking 70 catches off his own bowling from 495 matches. He has picked up an unbelievable 1,347 wickets in the international circuit.
The man who holds the overseas citizenship of India was a fierce competitor on the field. The menacing look in his eyes, every time he started his run-up sent shivers down the opposition ranks for which he was often referred to as the smiling assassin.
In 133 Test matches, Muralitharan has executed as many as 35 caught and bowled dismissals. Anil Kumble is the only other bowler to have achieved 35 caught and bowled dismissals in Tests. The Indian took one game less to achieve the feat.
The Sri Lankan completed 35 caught and bowled dismissals in 350 ODIs. He is the only bowler to do so followed by Chris Harris of New Zealand, who took 2 wickets off his own bowling and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan with 24 caught and bowled dismissals in ODIs.