3 most explosive ODI opening combinations at present

Openers are very important for a team's success; a team without a good opening combination can't become a successful one. The openers are the ones who play out the new ball and see off the swing, which is perhaps the most difficult part for any batting lineup.

The great work done by the batsmen who follow is often the result of the excellent batting by the top order.

Openers play a key role in all formats - from blocking it out in Test matches, to ensuring a wicketless first 10 overs in ODIs, to blowing the bowlers away in the first 6 overs of a T20 game.

Every top team has a solid opening combination that targets 55-60 runs in the first 10 overs of an ODI game, without losing a wicket. However, not every team has the same set of players with the same game plan.

In this article, we will take a look at three of the most explosive opening combinations in ODIs at present.

Note: This article is about the 3 most destructive opening combinations, and doesn't necessarily include the best ones. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been excluded because while they are possibly the best combination in the world, neither of them has a strike rate above 100.

#3 Australia - Aaron Finch and Travis Head

Australia v South Africa - 2nd ODI

This is a fairly new opening partnership; Australia were forced to come up with it because of David Warner's ban.

Aaron Finch is the best batsman in the Australian team in the absence of Warner and Steve Smith. He has also shouldered the responsibility of captaining them in the limited overs formats; he is a destructive player and a true match-winner.

Travis Head has been partnering him in recent times, and while he has shown flashes of brilliance, a lot more is expected from the southpaw. He was a middle order batsman for the team and has shifted to the opening slot because of Warner's ban. He is a very aggressive batsman and has shown that on many occasions.

Both players have strike rates that exceed 90. If they can build a good understanding with each other, the signs are ominous for all opposition teams.

Apart from these two players, the likes of D'Arcy Short and Chris Lynn have also opened on occasion, and they can be lethal too.

#2 New Zealand - Martin Guptill and Colin Munro

New Zealand v England - 3rd ODI

New Zealand are not always counted among the best teams in the world, but they can sure pack a punch. They come into every tournament as the dark horses, and have been consistent in the big events lately.

The Kiwis have a well balanced team, with two highly aggressive batsmen at the top of the order. Martin Guptill is the better and more experienced batsman at the top of the order, and is one of the best openers in the modern game.

Guptill is one of the few batsmen to have scored a double century in an ODI. That came in the quarterfinal of a World Cup, which shows his ability to soak up the pressure in big games. Guptill is someone who has the ability to play long innings.

His partner in crime, Colin Munro, is equally lethal and can wreak havoc on his day. However, isn't very consistent in this format of the game. Munro likes taking his chances early on and doesn't often care about his wicket. But once set, nothing can stop him from scoring big.

Guptill has a strike rate of 87, but has been much more aggressive than that in recent times. Munro, on the other hand, has a strike rate that exceeds 100, which makes it clear as to why this pair has been included in the list.

#1 England - Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow

Sri Lanka v England - 1st One Day International

Without a doubt the most devastating opening partnership in the world at present is the one that England have been blessed with. Even if one of these two can settle in, it's game, set and match for their team.

England have adopted an attacking brand of batting ever since their debacle in the 2015 World Cup. At first they opted for the explosive combination of Alex Hales and Jason Roy, but over the past 12-14 months, it has been Bairstow who has opened with Roy.

Bairstow is one of the most reliable and attacking openers in the world, and likes to take the game by the scruff of its neck. He has a wide range of attacking strokes and his average of 48.02 shows his ability to score runs consistently.

Roy forms the second half of England's opening combination and is as destructive as anybody. His fearless attitude has brought him both runs and confidence, and now that he has improved his consistency, bowlers will have a lot more nightmares than ever before.

Both these players have strike rates that are north of 100, which is phenomenal in the ODI format. And with a back-up player like Alex Hales, there is simply no opening combination as brutal as England's.