AB de-villiers equals test wicket-keeping record

Johannesburg - The Wanderers, fourth day's play between South Africa and Pakistan, South Africa's AB de Villiers equaled former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell's record for most dismissals in a Test match, which he created against South Africa at the same ground in 1995.

AB De Villiers held six catches behind the stumps in Pakistan's record low of 49 all out on day 2 of the first Test at The Wanderers and added five more in the second inning in 211-run defeat to visitors.

AB De Villiers went past Bob Taylor and Adam Gilchrist's mark of 10 dismissals in a Test match when he held an edge from Saeed Ajmal off Morne Morkel during the first session on day four. He drew level with Russell soon after, off the last ball of the 98th over when he collected the ball after Umar Gul swished at it, but the umpire did not rule it out.

The decision was reviewed and moments later HotSpot showed that Gul had indeed got an edge on the ball, and the South Africans celebrated their ninth wicket. De Villiers was denied a chance to claim the record when Steyn got Junaid Khan lbw to finish the match in his next over, the 11th of a spell that got him four wickets.

In second inning AB De Villiers scored 103 (117), and took his team to stong position posted a huge target of 480 runs. However pakistan could only manage 268 Runs, and South africa won the match by 211 Runs.

The South African effected 11 dismissals behind the stumps to draw level with Jack Russell's 18-year-old record set in Johannesburg in 1995. De Villiers(28) has been South Africa's wicket-keeper in all forms since Mark Boucher was forced to retire from an eye injury sustained in a tour match in England last summer.

There was uncertainty on the part of head coach Gary Kirsten as to whether de Villiers would take over the gloves full time once the Pakistan series started on February 1.

But with this landmark achievement it is likely that South Africa persist with de Villiers despite worries over his workload as batsman, wicketkeeper and limited-overs captain.

Match score : here