BEHIND THE STUMPS
Cricket followers throughout the province are totally divided as to which wicket-keeper in recent times topped the list. It is an intriguing issue but Michael Reith has the distinction of having played with four of the top contenders. This is his view…
A Wicket-keeper is a rare human being – much like the goalkeeper in soccer or hockey. You don’t have to be crazy but it helps. During my own career I have been privileged to play with four of the best to have “kept” in Irish cricket in recent times – Denis Artt, Eddie Bushe, Ossie Colhoun and Paul Jackson. Each of these four is a character in his own right and it is by no means easy to place them in order of ability. Nevertheless it is my task to do so and having bowled my own brand of leg theory to each of them I am hopefully in some small way qualified to make judgement.
PAUL JACKSON – “THE ATHLETE”
Jackson, the current Irish keeper is by far the most athletic of the four and has no equal in keeping to the quicker bowlers but does not at present quite compare with the other three when standing up to the spinners and medium pacers. He has however progressed dramatically in this department over the last couple of seasons and should he maintain this improvement he could well become one of the all time great Irish Keepers. Paul is an effervescent and enthusiastic cricketer who continually motivates those around him and is one of the most popular players in the local game.
