Alan Knott: England's Greatest Wicketkeeper-Batsman
Alan Knott of Kent kept wicket for England from 1967 to 1981, making 269 dismissals in 95 Tests and scoring 4,389 runs. He is widely considered the finest wicketkeeper-batsman England has produced.
The Complete Wicketkeeper
Alan Knott is the standard against which English wicketkeepers are still measured. He combined athletic brilliance behind the stumps — taking catches that seemed impossible, making stumpings in a blur — with a batting ability that rescued England from trouble on numerous occasions. He was agile, unconventional, and obsessive about physical preparation at a time when such dedication was unusual in English cricket.
Batting Under Pressure
Knott's batting average of 32.75 in 95 Tests is remarkable for a wicketkeeper who often came in at number seven. His most celebrated innings was 135 in the 1967-68 series against Pakistan, but across his career he repeatedly rescued England from difficult positions with unorthodox, attacking strokeplay. He played cut shots and sweeps with particular relish, and he would innovate against short-pitched bowling in ways considered eccentric at the time but effective in practice.
World Series Cricket and Later Career
Like many of England's best players of his era, Knott signed for Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977, which led to a period of exclusion from England's team. He returned to Test cricket and played until 1981, when Bob Taylor took over as first choice. Knott was voted one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1970 and remains a hugely popular figure in Kentish cricket. He is the benchmark for what a wicketkeeper-batsman should be.
Frequently asked questions
How many dismissals did Alan Knott make in Tests?
Alan Knott made 269 dismissals in 95 Tests — 250 catches and 19 stumpings — alongside scoring 4,389 runs at 32.75.
Was Alan Knott a good batsman?
Yes — Knott averaged 32.75 in 95 Tests batting primarily at number seven, which is exceptional for a wicketkeeper. He repeatedly rescued England with important lower-order innings.