I must disagree with the choice of Brad Haddin at #1, though I would acknowledge he is probably the best test batsman of the bunch, at the present time his keeping skills leave much to be desired. I know that since Adam Gilchrist burst onto the scene the role of keeper has become the role of keeper-batsman but lets face it the guy was a freak and it will be a long time before we see another with his ability.
Keepers must be primarily judged on their keeping, afterall what is the point of making 50 runs if you let through 20+ byes and drop a couple of catches (a feat Brad has on his resume). Brad sits at the bottom of the list in terms of keeping skill in international cricket at the moment especially when standing up to the stumps, he moves to the ball fairly well but seems to take his eye off it at the crucial moment as though afraid of being hit, a cardinal sin when behind the stumps. He had a very pour tour of India with the gloves and his Australian summer hasn't been much better. I believe Tim Payne to be a much better gloveman and he also has the ability to bat a long innings though lacks Haddins power game.
I would probably have to put Dohni in the top spot as he has wonderful hands and the ability to turn a game with the bat, as he did in the second test against Australia. For a keeper it is not just how many runs you make but when you make them which is why Mark Boucher comes a very close second as he is very steady in a pressure situation has fantastic glove work (you don't set a world record for test catches with longevity alone) though he has gone through a couple of rough patches behind the stumps. I realize that you want to leave Dohni's captaincy out of it but leadership is a key attribute in a keeper they are the focal point of the fielding side and both these players receive bonuses for the way they handle their teams in the field.
Jayawardene at three he is a master of his art both when keeping to the fast men and standing up at the stumps, I have seen him keeping up to Vaas and he is flawless, always chirping and doing his best to keep his team upbeat and motivated and I am sure annoying the hell out of opposition batsmen. Brendan McCullum next, a consistant gloveman without being special and an agressive batsman but has been guilty of getting out to poor shot selection when his team needed him to hang around, he would probably rate higher in a more successful side. Next comes Haddin for the afore mentioned reasons and finally Prior not only due to poor Keeping but has note really been around long enough to be fairly judged and I suppose the same can be said for Haddin. These are only my opinons I am glad for any feedback.
