The wicketkeeper's role is the source of many an analogy: The conductor, the sergeant-major and the cheerleader. But are these comparisons valuable, and which is the best? 

The wicketkeeper who is the drummer in the band keeps the beat of the fielding side with tidy glove work and unobtrusive, focused encouragement.  

The wicketkeeper can also be the conductor of the orchestra, controlling the entire ensemble being energetic and obvious. 

Kumar Sangakkara for example is a drummer. He is a natural keeper who goes about his work in a quiet way. If a bad throw comes in he doesn't try and tidy it up, he just goes about doing his job. 

Former England and Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Jack Russell was a conductor at the end of his career: Standing up to all but the fastest bowlers, encouraging his team mates and keeping the pressure on the batsmen. 

Split personality

Although all keepers are a bit mad (you have to be to want to do the job), whether they conduct or drum is down to personality: It's something that comes naturally one way or the other. 

However, you can learn to do either, depending on the situation. 

For example, if your seamers are on, but wickets are not coming, the drummer will offer the odd word of advice and encouragement. The conductor will gee up the fielders and try standing up to the stumps to make something happen. 

Neither of these methods are wrong in themselves, but one might work better than another. A bowler might prefer a quiet word (drummer) than a public admonishment (conductor). The batsman might have their fear of failure increased with a keeper chirping in their ear (conductor) or they might hate the silent treatment (drummer). 

A good keeper can recognise when he needs to be more conductor and less drummer, and vice versa. So the question shouldn't be which is best, but which is most suitable? 

Reverting to type

It can be tough for the keeper to have this flexible personality, because under pressure we find it hard to control our personalities. If you have dropped a catch or missed a stumping you naturally go quiet.  

It's hard to try and conduct when you have dropped your baton. 

That's why the keeper has to be the most resilient to mistakes in the team, because whether he is drumming or conducting, he can't let up the pressure on the opposition or let the team energy drop because he has made a personal error. 

And that's really what the good keepers are able to do, put their own personality traits aside and take control of the team, either as a conductor or drummer.