Top 5 Test openers of all-time

Opening in Tests is considered to be one of the most difficult tasks in cricket. The bowlers will be running in with full of energy and even a slight dip in concentration will be curtains for the batsman. Facing a fresh speedster with a new ball itself is a high pressure job. Add to it the dynamics of swing and lateral movement, everyone will agree that the situation is not something one enjoys. There are many openers who have stood out for their teams and taken the responsibility on their shoulders to handle the new ball and also bat for longer durations. Here are the top 5 players in Test cricket, who also have had a successful career as an opener.Special mentions: Graeme Smith, Virender Sehwag and Geoffrey Boycott

#5 Matthew Hayden

The only batsman from the 21^st century to make the list. the well-built Australian displayed complete dominance against nearly all the bowlers he faced. The stroke maker always had an eye for scoring opportunities and never allowed the bowlers to get into a rhythm. The authoritative nature of his stroke play was a treat to watch. He was one among those big names of the Australian batting order that dominated the world in the last couple of decades.

The left-hander scored 8625 Test runs in his career. He held the world record for the highest individual score in Test matches for a short period: 380, surpassing Brian Lara’s 375, before the West Indian reclaimed the record by scoring 400*.

The Queenslander’s 30 tons is next only to Sunil Gavaskar’s 34 as an opener.

#4 Herbert Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe made his first class debut after World War I and his first Test in 1924 was at the age of 29. The right-hander is the only opener to average more than 60 by the end of one’s career (minimum 15 innings). His batting methods were aggressive and attacking in every possible way.

Being a great puller of the ball, the Yorkshire cricketer was equally good in defense.

#3 Jack Hobbs

No special introduction needed to this Englishman’s credentials: 61760 runs and 199 centuries in first-class cricket. His 5130 Test runs at an average of 56.94 came between 1908 and 1930.

Although World War I applied a brake to his run scoring spree, even that failed to stop him. He mostly preferred to play with a straight bat and his feet movements were on the mark – both forward and backward. Together with Herbert Sutcliffe, he formed one of the best opening combinations ever to have graced the game.

#2 Len Hutton

Sir Leonard Hutton was one of the best England batsmen of all-time. Despite suffering a severe injury to his left-arm in a commando training – which forced him to alter his batting methods, Hutton’s batting credentials remained in full flight post World War II. His career lasted till 1955 and saw him score 19 centuries at the top level.

He accumulated runs in a heap and burdened the expectations of his country and also his county in the best possible manner season after season. On numerous occasions, he emerged as the leading run scorer of the series. Even while others struggled to get any decent numbers to their names, the Yorkshire man waged many lone battles and emerged succession. Not one came close to his average of 55 in the 1953 home Ashes – the next best was 37. 6721 career runs at an average of 56.47, highlights the right-hander’s value as an opener.

#1 Sunil Gavaskar

He was the face of Indian cricket in the 1970s and 80s along with Kapil Dev. Not many disagree with the fact that he was the best in this position. The way he handled the world’s most powerful bowling lineup of West Indies at that time is still looked up as a bench mark for an opener. Overall, he averaged 65.45 against West Indies, the best team of that era. His numbers boost up to 70.20 away from home.

The technically sound right-hander was also the statistically the best in varying conditions: 9607 runs at 50.29. However, ‘Sunny’ did not taste monumental success in England averaging just 41.14 there. His ability to judge the ball early made his shot making more effective and was widely hailed as the best ever opener. He could play all shots in the book and would not think twice in executing the pull.