Phil Tufnell and Jack Russell of England (Images via Getty Images)

Former England cricketer Phil Tufnell has revealed a rather unusual tactic once used by his wicketkeeper Jack Russell to unsettle opposition batters. In a light-hearted discussion, Tufnell said Russell would deliberately avoid brushing his teeth for a couple of days before a match. “My wicketkeeper, Jack Russell, didn’t use to brush his teeth for a couple of days. He said he wanted to put the batters off when he was standing up to the crease. Lots of little shenanigans go on there,” Tufnell revealed on BBC, leaving listeners amused at the extent wicketkeepers sometimes go to in order to gain an edge. The role of a wicketkeeper has often extended beyond just their skills with the gloves. They play a crucial part in controlling the energy on the field, especially through their chatter behind the stumps. Some use humour, some rely on constant encouragement, and others employ more unusual methods like sledging and as in this case – Russell’s tactic.

29 Aug 1989: Jack Russell of England waits behind the wicket during the Sixth Ashes Test match against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London. The match ended in a draw. (Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport)

West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, also part of the discussion, underlined how wicketkeepers can influence the flow of a game. “Yeah, there are some that, when you’re batting, it’s just like, shut up. But as a bowler, you just love it. It brings a different energy. When you have a quiet keeper, it feels like the game takes so long,” Brathwaite said, pointing to how a vocal presence can lift a bowling side’s intensity.

From playful banter to strange personal routines, wicketkeepers often find their own ways to get under a batter’s skin and keep their teammates engaged. Whether it is through non-stop chatter, sharp instructions, or quirky antics, their influence goes far beyond the scorecard.