# 2 Opener between 1986-2006

[aussie tragic]

For people just joining this thread, we are aiming to pick the best XI over the last 20-years. To re-cap, the team will consist of 2 openers, 3 batsman, 1 allrounder, 1 WK, 2 pace bowlers and 2 spinners and only players that meet the following criteria during 1986-2006 can be nominated:

Minimum Tests: 20
Batting ave: > 40
Keeper's batting ave: > 25 and averaging at least 3 dismissal per test
Allrounder: batting ave > 20 and bowling ave < 35
Fast bowler: bowling ave < 30 and strike rate of < 60
Spinners: bowling ave < 35 and strike rate of < 75


The 1986-2006 World XI so far:

1. Matthew Hayden (LHB): 84 tests, 7326 runs, 53.08, 26 centuries, 26 fifties

Now onto the second Opener position:

Openers figures between 1986-2006

Anwar (LHB): 55 tests, 4052 runs, 45.52, 11 centuries, 25 fifties - - - as opener [3957 @ 47.10]
Boon (RHB): 95 tests, 6824 runs, 45.79, 20 centuries, 28 fifties - - - as opener [2447 @ 44.49]
Gibbs (RHB): 79 tests, 5728 runs, 44.40, 14 centuries, 22 fifties - - - as opener [5018 @ 50.68]
Gooch (RHB): 70 tests, 5873 runs, 45.52, 15 centuries, 29 fifties - - - as opener [5268 @ 45.41]
Haynes (RHB): 62 tests, 4253 runs, 44.30, 11 centuries, 19 fifties - - - as opener [4238 @ 44.61]
Jayasuriya (LHB): 105 tests, 6745 runs, 41.12, 14 centuries, 30 fifties - - - as opener [5752 @ 42.60]
Kirsten (LHB): 101 tests, 7289 runs, 45.27, 21 centuries, 34 fifties - - - as opener [5726 @ 41.79]
Langer (LHB): 100 tests, 7393 runs, 45.35, 22 centuries, 29 fifties - - - as opener [4809 @ 48.57]
Richardson (LHB): 38 tests, 2776 runs, 44.77, 4 centuries, 19 fifties - - - as opener [2770 @ 44.67]
Sehwag (RHB): 49 tests, 4066 runs, 52.12, 12 centuries, 12 fifties - - - as opener [3727 @ 54.01]
Sidhu (RHB): 49 tests, 3163 runs, 43.32, 9 centuries, 15 fifties - - - as opener [2891 @ 43.14]
Slater (RHB): 74 tests, 5312 runs, 42.83, 14 centuries, 21 fifties - - - as opener [5312 @ 42.83]
Smith (LHB): 48 tests, 3891 runs, 49.25, 11 centuries, 14 fifties - - - as opener [3659 @ 50.85]
Strauss (LHB): 30 tests, 2505 runs, 46.38, 10 centuries, 7 fifties - - - as opener [2505 @ 46.38]
Taylor (LHB): 104 tests, 7525 runs, 43.39, 19 centuries, 49 fifties - - - as opener [7525 @ 43.39]
Trescothick (LHB): 75 tests, 5825 runs, 43.79, 14 centuries, 29 fifties - - - as opener [5824 @ 43.78]
Vaughan (RHB): 64 tests, 4595 runs, 42.94, 15 centuries, 14 fifties - - - as opener [2755 @ 49.19]
Wright (LHB): 38 tests, 3019 runs, 45.05, 8 centuries, 14 fifties - - - as opener [2973 @ 44.37]

 

[Armadillo]

Anwar has been the most consistent performer even if his average doesn't show it.

 

[aussie tragic]

Anwar has been the most consistent performer even if his average doesn't show it.

I think his average is fine, I just can't decide if I should pick who the next best opener is (Anwar), or should I go with the next best RHB to give a L/R opening combination?

Edit: Sehwag it is.

 

[Matteh]

Sticking with Slats.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

Ive already explained my point of view on Strauss, which is why I vote for him

 

[Neil Pickup]

Looking for someone to open with Hayden? Well... It's gotta be Langer.

 

[Pothas]

going for Gooch

 

[Armadillo]

Looking for someone to open with Hayden? Well... It's gotta be Langer.

He's got a point there.

 

[NZTailender]

Sticking with Slats.

Me too.

 

[Mister Wright]

Anwar for me. Gritty, Stylish and elegant.

 

[JASON]

Boon , considering the opposition he faced ie West Indian pace quartet .(+Ambrose/Walsh ) more than any others on seamier pitches.

 

[oz_fan]

Gooch for me

 

[SJS]

It was between Gooch and Haynes for me. I chose Gooch since he faced Windies and did well.

Haynes, did better against Australia by the way.

 

[aussie]

Best Australian partner - Slater
Best Overseas partner - Anwar

 

[Matteh]

Boon , considering the opposition he faced ie West Indian pace quartet .(+Ambrose/Walsh ) more than any others on seamier pitches.

We've already established that Boon shouldn't really be considered as an opener..

 

[aussie tragic]

We've already established that Boon shouldn't really be considered as an opener..

Says who

Since 1986, Strauss has opened 58 times, Boonie opened 59 times, while Vaughan has opened 60 times....I suppose those two can't be considered openers either...

 

[steds]

Says who

Since 1986, Strauss has opened 58 times, Boonie opened 59 times, while Vaughan has opened 60 times....I suppose those two can't be considered openers either...

However, Boon batted at 3 in over twice as many innings, which suggests he's more of a number 3 and he'd be better suited to list of number 3s (which I gather you're probably going to do). Whereas Strauss has opened for his whole Test career.

 

[aussie tragic]

However, Boon batted at 3 in over twice as many innings, which suggests he's more of a number 3 and he'd be better suited to list of number 3s (which I gather you're probably going to do). Whereas Strauss has opened for his whole Test career.

The fact is that Boon now has 3 votes between the two polls, which is more than half of the other openers nominated (btw, I couldn't bring myself to vote for him with Haydon, Sehwag, Anwar & Slats ahead of him, but I still think he should be included).

 

[marc71178]

Yes, and I'm wondering how many of those are "cult" votes...

 

[Matteh]

(btw, I couldn't bring myself to vote for him with Haydon

It's Hayden, mate. (i only mention it, because i know you've spelt it -on a couple of times now)