A safe wicketkeeper is an essential member of any first-class side.
His skills behind the stumps used to be enough alone, but these days glovemen are expected to score runs, as well.
The wicketkeepers are the focus of the fourth in our series of profiles on the greatest cricket players in Otago's history.
The series is designed to help readers name their all-time Otago XI.
Your selections should be based on the contribution and impact players had for Otago in first-class cricket.
We have selected a panel of experts to name the Best XI, which will be unveiled on December 18.
You can enter at any time between now and December 16 by emailing your Best XI, plus a 12th man, to adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz or by posting it to Best XI Competition, ODT Sports Department, P O Box 517, Dunedin 9054.
The person whose team most closely matches that chosen by our expert panel will win an hour-long team coaching session in Dunedin with Otago coach Mike Hesson, Otago captain Craig Cumming and Otago cricket manager Mark Bracewell, to be donated to the school of the winner's choice.
The prize package also includes a bat signed by Black Cap brothers Brendon and Nathan McCullum, and a copy of The Last Everyday Hero, the biography of Bert Sutcliffe written by former Otago Daily Times reporter Richard Boock.
You will need to select a wicketkeeper for your team but that person does not necessarily have to come from the suggested list below.
In alphabetical order, here are the leading contenders.
MARTYN CROY
42 matches, 127 catches, 4 stumpings, 1351 runs at 20.46
A skilful and balanced gloveman, Croy was regarded highly for his work behind the stumps.
His batting was not of the same high standard but he was a useful contributor, scoring a century and posting four 50s.
Only Warren Lees and Barry Milburn have effected more dismissals for the province.
DEREK DE BOORDER
25 matches, 78 catches, 11 stumpings, 1113 runs at 35.90
The 25-year-old is still honing his craft but has proven himself to be a very capable gloveman and decent middle-order batsman.
De Boorder broke the New Zealand first-class record for most dismissals in a innings when he took eight catches against Wellington last season.
He has scored eight half-centuries.
GARETH HOPKINS
33 matches, 111 catches, 3 stumpings, 1471 runs at 35.02
Hopkins fashioned a superb record in four seasons with Otago.
Behind the stumps he was extremely reliable and fashioned an impressive strike-rate of 3.45 dismissals a game.
And with the bat he was just as successful.
In his last season with the province, Hopkins scored 514 runs, including three 100s, at the impressive average of 85.66.
WARREN LEES
108 matches, 220 catches, 36 stumpings, 3754 runs at 25.36
Lees delivered behind the stumps, with the bat and through leadership.
Few have contributed as much.
In a long career, Lees effected an Otago record 256 dismissals and scored four 100s and 17 half-centuries.
His 108 appearances is also an Otago record and during his playing tenure Otago won five titles - 1974-75, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1985-86 and 1987-88.
BRENDON MCCULLUM
18 matches, 28 catches,924 runs at 28.00
Most of McCullum's wondrous deeds have been performed at international level or saved for limited-overs cricket.
His Otago first-class record is relatively modest and does not stack up well compared to the other leading contenders.
But we all know what a talent he is and perhaps there is still room for him in an all-time team.
He has scored two 100s and four 50s.
BARRY MILBURN
60 matches, 148 catches, 17 stumpings, 697 runs at 11.42
Milburn's long career overlapped with that of Warren Lees and as a consequence he did not play as often as he might have.
Lees was the better batsman but many regarded Milburn as the superior gloveman.
Milburn scored a memorable century at Molyneux Park in December 1980 - it was the only time he passed 50 in first-class cricket.
GEORGE MILLS
55 matches, 81 catches, 29 stumpings, 1942 at 20.22
Mills gave superb service, standing behind the stumps for 23 seasons.
Despite his modest average, Mills was a quality middle-order batsman who mostly likely would have flourished on today's batsmen-friendly pitches.
He scored two 100s and five 50s in 55 matches.
SHANE ROBINSON
45 matches, 118 catches, 5 stumpings, 1427 runs at 20.98
A Green Island stalwart, Robinson was a tidy and workman-like keeper and a gritty and determined middle order batsman.
He scored six half centuries and had a top score of 93.
