Test cricket is one of the toughest sports in all of the world. It is difficult for a player to bat or bowl for five days and even field for many overs during that period. Formats like T20 and T10 have allowed the cricketers to extend their careers, but many die-hard cricket fans consider Tests as the purest format.
One of the main reasons behind it is that it tests the skill of a player in all the departments. Be it batting, bowling or fielding, a player needs to be at his best. Some players also need to put their bodies on the line for the team’s cause. It is not everyone’s cup of tea to field at short leg or close-in positions like silly point.
These days, helmets are available for protection from the fast-coming deliveries. Even then, some fielders turn away when a batter smashes a shot towards him. But in this listicle today, we will look at the four bravest fielders who stood in close-in positions.
1. Alistair Hignell
Alistair Hignell – Gloucestershire
— Cricketers Autographs of the 70s & 80s (@CrickAutographs) August 8, 2022
Made his England Rugby Union debut in 1975 against Australia in Brisbane and 8 days later played for #Glos against Middlesex in Bristol.
He passed 1,000 runs a season 3 times, including his final season in 1983, and won 14 England rugby caps. pic.twitter.com/Tlqxo4LZp1
Former Gloucestershire player Alistair Hignell is regarded by many as one of the bravest fielders of all time. He would be ready to field at short leg whenever his team wanted him to.
2. Eknath Solkar
Eknath Solkar's birthday. They say Jonty changed fielding, but when I grew up, it was Solkar that we cheered, standing up close without a helmet to our spinners. Huge part of our series wins in 1971 & such a good fielder that Bill Lawry presented him his bat after a great catch pic.twitter.com/PmycNtVQWB
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) March 18, 2020
Eknath Solkar is known to be India’s greatest forward short leg fielder. He played an integral role in the Indian spinners’ success during his playing days as he would pull off some excellent catches at close-in positions.
3. Brian Close
Brian Close is known to be the bravest cricketer to have made an appearance in Test cricket. He would field at close-in positions without any pads or helmet.
4. David Boon
Former Australian cricketer David Boon would take sharp catches at close-in position and help his team get some important wickets. He took 99 catches in his memorable career.
