Rank following openers in test cricket

[DrWolverine]

Hayden. Smith. Cook.

 

[Johan]

Hayden last

toss a coin between Cook and Smith

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

They are all exactly equally as good.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Cook is clearly third.

Very close between the other 2. Big Haydos just

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Smith

 

[sayon basak]

Cook is clearly third.

Not all that clear to me.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Not all that clear to me.

Couldn't bat against left armers which is a vital prerequisite for an opener

 

[sayon basak]

Couldn't bat against left armers which is a vital prerequisite for an opener

Fair point. He did struggle vs Left armers H2H. But his performance was decent involving left armers.
Matches involving Starc, Johnson, Vaas, Boult, Zaheer:-
Cook:- 50 matches; 3829 runs @42.07; 9 centuries.
Graeme Smith:- 29 matches; 1896 @38.69; 3 centuries.

Again, agree that it's a fair point against him. But don't think this point alone can make him a "clear" 3rd. The other two has some flaws on their side too.

BTW, their combined H2H stats against those bowlers:-
Graeme Smith:- 578 runs @32.11
Alastair Cook:- 962 runs @31.03

 

[kyear2]

Hayden, Smith, Cook.

 

[kyear2]

Cook is clearly third.

Very close between the other 2. Big Haydos just

This.