Best Test opener of the 21st Century?

[honestbharani]

G Smith easily for me.

 

[BazBall21]

I'd go Smith > Sehwag ~ Hayden > Cook. All very good but Smith had the best overall package. Runs across conditions, a number of iconic innings and consistency over a number of years. I don't really know how exactly to even evaluate sehwag in such comparisons, the guy was such a freak that it makes no sense to evaluate him by normal parameters.

Yeah Sehwag was madness. Certainly has the biggest upside. Some god-like performances against quality pace and spin. Smith and Hayden just more balanced.

 

[shortpitched713]

Am I the only one that looks as minnow bashing, and flat track bullying to be positive considerations, that indicate a professional mentality?

I'm not saying that if a batsman only does well in those situations and poorly elsewhere that he's still great, but rather having done exceptionally well in those situations doesn't take away from your overall record in the more competitive conditions, and can only add to it.

 

[Calm_profit]

Not sure about longevity but Simon Katich has a great record as an opener averages 50.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

 

[subshakerz]

Am I the only one that looks as minnow bashing, and flat track bullying to be positive considerations, that indicate a professional mentality?

I'm not saying that if a batsman only does well in those situations and poorly elsewhere that he's still great, but rather having done exceptionally well in those situations doesn't take away from your overall record in the more competitive conditions, and can only add to it.

Virtually every top level modern player is a minnow basher. The question only is what extent it distorts your record.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Smith but I voted for Sehwag anyway because who'd you rather watch? And that record is nothing to scoff at either despite his late career dip.

 

[ZK$]

Virtually every top level modern player is a minnow basher. The question only is what extent it distorts your record.

Interestingly, Steve Smith doesn’t have any minnow bashing in his record which makes his average more impressive. He could probably average 65+ if he played against the minnows more often.

 

[ZK$]

Smith > Sehwag > Hayden > Cook

Sehwag and Hayden is pretty close, but chose Sehwag due to the strike rate. Cook was probably a bit unlucky to play his home games in England.

 

[subshakerz]

As for Sehwag vs Hayden, I will go for Hayden as he seemed slightly less hopeless than Sehwag when it swings. I think modern day posters forget the main job of an opener is to see off the new ball.

Personally I think Sehwag and Dravid should have switched positions in foreign tours.

Why isn't Langer in the poll?

 

[ankitj]

Not sure about longevity but Simon Katich has a great record as an opener averages 50.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

@honestbharani loves this

 

[TheJediBrah]

Smith or Cook, about level

Hayden/Sehwag hard to compare to them, but would prefer in certain conditions

Usman Khawaja an outside chance

 

[subshakerz]

Smith or Cook, about level

Hayden/Sehwag hard to compare to them, but would prefer in certain conditions

Usman Khawaja an outside chance

Cook to me is Langer level.

 

[Coronis]

One thing I always liked about Hayden was that he alongside a select few others (notably Bradman, Headley, Walcott and Younis) had more centuries than fifties. Obviously this is balanced out by the times they got lower scores but once they got going it was quite hard to stop them.

 

[weeman27bob]

One thing I always liked about Hayden was that he alongside a select few others (notably Bradman, Headley, Walcott and Younis) had more centuries than fifties. Obviously this is balanced out by the times they got lower scores but once they got going it was quite hard to stop them.

@OverratedSanity

 

[Xuhaib]

Greame Smith but I am biased he is argubly my favorite cricketer the guy would have taken a bullet for the cause such a gun he was.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Cook to me is Langer level.

Hmm no I don't think so

Opening in England v opening in Australia very different

 

[Zinzan]

Smith overall, and fairly clearly for mine.

 

[bagapath]

Hayden > Smith > Sehwag > Cook

 

[Slifer]

Interestingly, Steve Smith doesn’t have any minnow bashing in his record which makes his average more impressive. He could probably average 65+ if he played against the minnows more often.

True. He's hardly played WI for example. He'd probably slaughter us if he did (especially in Australia).

 

[BazBall21]

Only Kane has done some proper minnow bashing in the Fab Four. Root and Smith have never had the chance.