Openers Tax

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

If you read my posts you will note that I've not made any excuses for him and think he should be dropped.Also I posted this:
Traditionally opening in England has probably been one of the most difficult things in cricket.Think greenish wickets & overcast conditions although there are fewer green tops these days.

The ball is still a factor for openers too, true it gets older and out of shape quicker, but a Duke’s ball still does more early doors than a Kookaburra, we’ve just seen some absolutely turgid games played in the now customary flat English wickets with the Kookaburra ball

 

[Ju7]

The ball is still a factor for openers too, true it gets older and out of shape quicker, but a Duke’s ball still does more early doors than a Kookaburra, we’ve just seen some absolutely turgid games played in the now customary flat English wickets with the Kookaburra ball

In relative terms things are nicely set up for openers which makes Crawley's position untenable.

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

I still think in my opinion, when all things are considered including new ball, juice in the deck etc....if a Test opening batsman averages around 39 to 40 as a minimum then they are doing a pretty good job. Some might say averaging around 37 to 38 as am Opener in Test cricket is fine too.

It's not easy being an Opening batsman, its a Test of a players temperament and technique. It's still the most difficult position to bat in my opinion.