I have a question for the forum...

Which less-obvious fielders can you think of that revolutionised modern fielding?

What counts as "less obvious"? Derek Randall was probably the guy who did most to raise the bar in his era.... but Dean Jones and Johnty Rhodes should be credited with creating the intimidating, predatory fielding "ring".

That said.. the current Aussie fielding coach looks as if he is going to transform fielding more than all three of the above!

If you are looking for less obvious candidates.... Neil Fairbrother and Trevor Penny did their bit: they were at least as good as the best of the current generation (Symonds, Ponting, Clarke, Collingwood, Dalrymple, Gibbs, Yuvraj, Kaif and the like).

ps. names that have cropped up in other threads include Andrew Blignaut, the Marshall twins, Bravo and Gary Pratt.

pps. David Gower wasn't exactly shabby

One of the best close-in fielders ever (though he did little else of note) is the late Eknath Solkar of India. He used to take some unbelievable catches at short leg, silly mid-on or off. One of his best was the spectacular catch to dismiss Alan Knott in the Oval test of 1971; it was little more than a forward defensive stroke, but somehow Solkar dived forward to grab the ball with both hands inches off the ground. It might be fair to say that Solkar was one of the few players in the 70s who were instrumental in bringing about increased awaress of the importance of good fielding for cricket in India.

It has been said that Len Hutton's opening partner Cyril Washbrook was a great fielder in the 1930s and immediatly after the war, and believed in vigorous active training for the purpose.

The South African Colin Bland is legendary for his fileding and throwing ability. He once ran out Ken Barrington by throwing the ball between the running Englishman's legs - the only way he could hit the stumps.

The great Australian opening bolwer Alan Davidson was nicknamed "The Claw" for the way he hung onto close catches.

Way back, Learie Constantine of the West Indies was known was his great fielding, catching and throwing.

I can't be too worldy.

I recall Colin Bland...was he a fast bowler?

Stong guy, strong forearm, outfield fielder...threw the ball low and hard...ball would reach the pitch from the boundary quicker than expected to get the run out

????

I think you may be getting two guys mixed up. Bland did have a great throwing arm, but he fielded in the covers and was possibly the greatest cover fielder of all time. My understanding is that he often used to entertain crowds during breaks and before the day's play by throwing a ball at a single stump from 25 yards and hitting it most times.

He was primarily a fielder, but whilst being Jonty-esque in the field, he was a better bat than Jonty ever was. I don't think he ever bowled though - or if he did, he couldn't have bowled much.

EDIT: Just looked him up on cricinfo, and he was actually Rhodesian (Zimbabwean). I wonder if there's some mileage in listing out all the Zimbabweans who ever played for South Africa and then doing a Zimbabwe XI based on those of Zimbabwean heritage?