"The pugnacious Western Australian, who had the reckless bravery of a bare-knuckle fighter at a travelling agricultural show, revolutionised world cricket because he was the first player to be selected for Australia for his batting ability rather than his glovework. It's a template that most cricketing nations have been copying ever since, with varying degrees of success. Before Marsh, keepers resembled buttoned-up bureaucrats selected for being skilled artisans capable of perhaps crafting a few valuable runs alongside the tail."
"Years later, Adam Gilchrist transformed the role once again with his belligerent and brutal batting, but he wasn't always that deft behind the stumps. Australia's insatiable thirst to find a genuine all-rounder who could abruptly alter the course of a game from No 7 meant sacrificing the odd catch or stumping. Until now. Australia's current keeper, Alex Carey, might not be as bludgeoning or breathtaking with the willow as Gilchrist, but he has redefined the craft of keeping with his masterclass in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane."
Rod Marsh changed the wicketkeeper role by being the first Australian selected primarily for batting, combining explosive strokeplay with excellent glovework. Before Marsh, wicketkeepers were chosen mainly for technical skill and expected to contribute only modest runs. Adam Gilchrist later transformed the role again with aggressive batting, sometimes at the expense of occasional missed chances behind the stumps. Australia persistently sought multi-skilled keepers who could alter games from No 7. Alex Carey has now redefined that balance by delivering a superb keeping performance in the second Ashes Test, showing refined glove work while offering sufficient batting capability to influence outcomes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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