Ben Cox has climbed into the top three of the all-time list of wicket-keeping dismissals in Vitality Blast cricket ahead of Worcestershire Rapids’ double header with Notts Outlaws at New Road this evening (Thursday) and Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston tomorrow (Friday).
The Worcestershire keeper-batter is top of the list when it comes to dismissals achieved by current keepers in the Blast after dismissing New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell in Tuesday’s seven wicket win over Lancashire Lightning.
It was his 98th scalp and he is one ahead of Middlesex’s John Simpson who has played eight more games than Cox – 149 to his 141.
The only keepers ahead of Cox on the all-time list are his wicket-keeping hero James Foster (Essex) and Phil Mustard (Durham and Gloucestershire) who are now both retired.
Foster and Mustard participated in the inaugural T20 competition in England in 2003.
Cox, who is in his testimonial year at New Road, made his debut in the competition in 2010 and 33 of his victims – more than a third – have been stumpings.
Last summer he moved past Mark Wallace (Glamorgan), Steve Davies (Worcestershire, Surrey and Somerset), Chris Read (Nottinghamshire) and Tim Ambrose (Sussex and Birmingham).
His best year in terms of dismissals came in 2018 when he helped the Rapids to win the title by earning the man of the match awards for the semi-final and final.
Cox’s first T20 dismissal was Derbyshire’s Gregory Smith who was stumped off the bowling of James Cameron in an eight wicket win at New Road.
Most dismissals in T20 cricket in England
James Foster (2003-2017) – 114 (72ct, 42 st)
Phil Mustard (2003-2017) – 110 (80ct, 30st)
Ben Cox (2010-2023) – 98 (65ct 33st)
John Simpson (2009-2023) – 97 (70ct, 27st)
Tim Ambrose (2003-2018) – 88 (65ct, 23st)
Chris Read (2004-2016) – 86 (59ct, 27st)
Steve Davies (2006-2021) – 84 (62ct, 22st)
Mark Wallace (2003-2016) – 83 (53ct, 30st)
