Wicketkeeping in Test cricket is one of the most grueling jobs in the game. You’re constantly squatting for hundreds of overs, staying alert every single delivery, and still expected to bat with skill, patience, and sometimes even flair. The men on this list not only excelled with the gloves but also made significant contributions with the bat scoring multiple centuries in the toughest format of the game.
Here’s a deep dive into the top 7 wicketkeepers with the most Test centuries
1. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 17 Test Centuries
Adam Gilchrist is often credited with redefining the role of a wicketkeeper-batsman. Before him, most keepers were picked for their glovework first and foremost. Gilchrist flipped that narrative.
- With 17 Test hundreds and a highest score of 204 against South Africa*, Gilly turned games on their head in mere sessions.
- He averaged 47.60 in Tests almost absurd for someone who batted mostly at No. 7
- And finished with 5,570 runs in 96 Tests. His ability to counterattack, especially in pressure situations, made him a nightmare for bowlers and a dream for fans.
2. Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 12 Test Centuries
Andy Flower wasn’t just Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketer he was among the world’s best during his peak.
- He scored 12 Test centuries and averaged a stunning 51.54 across 63 Tests.
- His career-defining knock of 232 against India in 2000* came when Zimbabwe was still growing on the world stage.
Flower’s ability to anchor an innings while keeping wickets for long hours made him a rare gem. He often single-handedly carried the batting burden for his team, earning widespread respect for his elegance and grit.
3. Les Ames (England) – 8 Test Centuries
In an era when wicketkeepers were mere passengers with the bat, Les Ames set a new benchmark in the 1930s. He was one of the first to prove that a wicketkeeper could be a frontline batter as well paving the way for future generations.
- Scoring 8 centuries from just 67 innings, Ames combined fine glove work with classical batting.
- His highest score of 149 and an average above 40 was almost unheard of at the time for a keeper.
4. Rishabh Pant (India) – 7 Test Centuries
- At just 26 years old, Rishabh Pant has already etched his name among the greats.
- With 7 Test centuries in only 76 innings, he has shown that he’s not just here to fill shoes he’s here to build his own legacy.
- Total Runs: 3,082
- Batting Average: 43.41
- Highest Score: 159* vs Australia (Sydney, 2019)
Pant’s centuries are not just numbers they’ve often come under pressure, in foreign conditions, and against world-class bowling attacks. His maiden ton in England at The Oval in 2018 shocked experts, and his unforgettable 89 at the Gabba* in 2021 (while not a hundred) was perhaps the most important fourth-innings knock by a wicketkeeper ever. Pant recently overtook MS Dhoni’s record to become the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test hundreds and he’s only getting started.
5. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 7 Test Centuries
- Though AB de Villiers didn’t keep wickets throughout his entire Test career
- His time behind the stumps still saw him pile up 7 centuries. Known for his 360-degree strokeplay, AB was a wizard with the bat adapting to all formats with ease.
- His highest Test score as a keeper, 169 against Australia, was a stroke-filled masterclass, blending elegance and destruction. AB’s stint as a wicketkeeper was relatively short, but he made every moment count.
6. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 7 Test Centuries
- Before giving up wicketkeeping duties to prolong his batting career,Kumar Sangakkara scored 7 centuries while donning the gloves.
- His classy cover drives, patience at the crease, and cricketing brain made him one of the best the sport has seen.
- With a highest score of 230 as a keeper, Sanga was the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s middle order.
- His shift to playing as a pure batter only elevated his numbers ending his career with over 12,000 Test runs.
7. BJ Watling (New Zealand) – 7 Test Centuries
- Often underrated, BJ Watling was the backbone of New Zealand’s middle order during their rise in the 2010s. A gritty player, Watling’s centuries often came in tough, grinding situations.
- His double hundred (205) against England in 2019, in partnership with Mitchell Santner, helped the Kiwis post a mammoth total and dominate the match. Watling’s no-fuss attitude and fighting spirit made him a coach’s dream.
Final Rankings Recap (Most Test Centuries by Wicketkeepers)
- Adam Gilchrist – 17
- Andy Flower – 12
- Les Ames – 8
- Rishabh Pant – 7
- AB de Villiers – 7
- Kumar Sangakkara – 7
- BJ Watling – 7
Final Thoughts: The Evolving Role of the Wicketkeeper
From Les Ames’ classical strokes to Gilchrist’s brute force, from Sangakkara’s finesse to Pant’s daredevilry the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman has seen a dramatic evolution.
Rishabh Pant, with time on his side and audacity in his DNA, may soon climb even higher. His rise reflects how Test cricket, despite its traditional roots, continues to embrace boldness and flair.
In the end, it’s not just about the number of centuries, but the context in which they’re scored. And these seven names prove that wicketkeepers, once considered passengers with the bat, are now often the ones steering the ship.
Written by RITESH SINGH
