Viv could go to another level that very few batsman could. There's that famous quote about him from Imran.
Re. the openers question above, I'd say...
Hutton
Gavaskar
Hobbs
Sutcliffe
Greenidge
B.Richards
Lawry
Sehwag
Gooch
Boycott
Hard to split them really. Hutton, from what I've read and seen was the most complete opener of all time, perfect technique and all the shots,and played some pretty decent bowling. Gavaskar pretty much the same, plus Gavaskar played in an era of truly great pace bowlers. Hobbs and Sutcliffe are hard to judge, being from the distant past, but many say what a great batsman Hobbs was, with an outstanding technique. Sutcliffe is remembered as a little more dour, but both him and his partner had outstanding records. Greenidge was always a favourite of mine as a kid, a really punchy and aggressive opener who always looked to dominate. Part of a great partnership with Haynes also. Richards will court controversy, but I can't ignore what so many good judges said about him. I've no doubt that if he'd had a full career he'd probably be seen as the greatest of all time. Perfect technique, and a fast scorer. Lawry and Sehwag couldn't contrast more but both did their jobs in their own way very effectively. Rounding it out with two Englishmen (meaning five out of ten are Poms) who are sometimes forgotten. Gooch had a great record and was a great player against everyone, bar Aust, while Boycott was the true definition of an old school opener, making the job of the middle order much easier most of the time. Hon mentions to Langer, Hayden, Taylor, Slater, Haynes, Boon etc.
