Wicket-keepers plays an important role in test cricket and, over time, the role has evolved into a specialist position.
In Test cricket, only 34 wicket-keepers have kept wicket in a match for Australia.[1]
Jack Blackham was the first and longest-serving wicket-keeper who kept wicket for Australia and is considered first of the modern great wicketkeepers.[2] [1] He played in thirty-five Test matches between 1877 and 1894 for Australia against England in which he caught 36 catches and stumped 24.[2] He was also the first wicket-keeper captain of the Australian cricket team.[1]
Jack Blackham, Billy Murdoch, Barry Jarman, Adam Gilchrist, and Tim Paine are the only wicket-keepers who have captained the Australian cricket team. Paine is the longest serving wicket-keeper Test captain for Australia.
This list only includes players who have played as the designated keeper for a match. On occasions, another player may have stepped in to relieve the primary wicket-keeper due to injury or the keeper bowling.[3]
Statistics are correct as of 9 February 2024.[4]
| No. | Player | Span | Tests | Catches | Stumpings | Total dismissals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1877–1894 | 32 | 35 | 24 | 59 | ||
| 2 | 1882 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 1885–1895 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 17 | ||
| 4 | 1887 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 5 | 1896–1905 | 36 | 43 | 20 | 63 | ||
| 6 | 1907–1921 | 28 | 44 | 21 | 65 | ||
| 7 | 1912 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 8 | 1920–1937 | 54 | 78 | 52 | 130 | ||
| 9 | 1932–1933 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 10 | 1938 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 11 | 1946–1953 | 21 | 50 | 8 | 58 | ||
| 12 | 1948–1950 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 24 | ||
| 13 | 1951–1956 | 26 | 83 | 15 | 98 | ||
| 14 | 1955–1956 | 7 | 19 | 1 | 20 | ||
| 15 | 1957–1966 | 51 | 163 | 24 | 187 | ||
| 16 | 1959–1969 | 19 | 50 | 4 | 54 | ||
| 17 | 1966–1970 | 16 | 56 | 4 | 60 | ||
| 18 | 1970–1984 | 96 | 343 | 12 | 355 | ||
| 19 | 1977–1985 | 13 | 42 | 5 | 47 | ||
| 20 | 1978–1979 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||
| 21 | 1978–1980 | 10 | 31 | 4 | 35 | ||
| 22 | 1983–1984 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||
| 23 | 1984–1986 | 18 | 43 | 0 | 43 | ||
| 24 | 1985–1987 | 10 | 18 | 1 | 19 | ||
| 25 | 1986–1988 | 6 | 22 | 2 | 24 | ||
| 26 | 1988–1999 | 119 | 366 | 29 | 395 | ||
| 27 | 1994 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 28 | 1999–2008 | 96 | 379 | 37 | 416 | ||
| 29 | 2008–2015 | 66 | 262 | 8 | 270 | ||
| 30 | 2009 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 31 | 2010–2021 | 35 | 150 | 7 | 157 | ||
| 32 | 2012–2017 | 22 | 63 | 11 | 74 | ||
| 33 | 2015–2016 | 17 | 61 | 2 | 63 | ||
| 34 | Alex Carey | 2021–present | 30 | 107 | 12 | 119 |