Batting positions in Test history

[thirdslip]

Who's always batted as an opener? Who's always batted at number 11? An analysis of batting positions of the players over the years shows an interesting titbit - the top ten in terms of long careers includes many openers, but the top ten batsmen by average isn't so favourable to openers.
http://thirdslip.com/2005/jan/tst-batpos.shtm

- Third Slip

 

[-dude-]

That is an interesting , and overall, excellent article!

 

[a massive zebra]

Great article as always.

 

[SJS]

Who's always batted as an opener? Who's always batted at number 11? An analysis of batting positions of the players over the years shows an interesting titbit - the top ten in terms of long careers includes many openers, but the top ten batsmen by average isn't so favourable to openers.
http://thirdslip.com/2005/jan/tst-batpos.shtm

- Third Slip

Three of the batsmen in the second list viz Tendulkar, Lara and Dravid have yet to complete their careers. Whereas everyone in the first list has retired. Surely these three, by the time they are through will have played enough to join the first group, the balance will shift a bit away from openers in the form of longevity.

 

[SJS]

It is not surprising that you dont get anyone with a BPI of 11 exact. You wont get that for any position unless the player has played very few matches.

In the case of Hayden you come so close because for openers it is really two positions, 1 and 2 that are being taken as 1. actually depending on who faces the first ball even these will change and get closer to 1.5.

 

[thirdslip]

Both openers have a "1" mark, in the analysis, so that's not a factor. I did a quick check to see who has played the most innings ALWAYS at #11. Nantie Hayward had 17 innings as a #11 bat. I included this bit in the article; thanks for asking.

- TS