# 1 opener between 1986-2006

[bagapath]

btw, if anyone feels that a player should have been in the first poll (Note: he must have > 20 tests since '86 and av > 40.00), please make a case to Bagapath, the thread chairman of selectors, and maybe he'll issue a wild card for the next vote

LOL. Legally Mark Richardson belonged there. And there have been a couple of calls for his inclusion since he averages above 40. I dont see him making the cut but if aussie tragic has space for him, please add him.

and jbh! did you receive the CMJ articles intact (I am assuming the email was from you!!)? hope you enjoyed them!

 

[SJS]

Why no Atherton ?

 

[bagapath]

hi sjs!

athers doesnt average above 40, one of the requirements to make it to the team. there is a separate thread on this topic apart from this poll. we will keep going back to that after we select each player.

 

[SJS]

hi sjs!

athers doesnt average above 40,

Thats sad because some of these guys arent fit to hold his bat

 

[aussie tragic]

Thats sad because some of these guys arent fit to hold his bat

Why, they all have superior records to Athers who only averages 37.69?

 

[bagapath]

Thats sad because some of these guys arent fit to hold his bat

any names, sjs?

 

[jack_sparrow]

blasphemy only 7 people voted for anwar. i think he was more gutsy and crafty then mr hayden. and quicker too for the most part. Had he carried on with himself in the last few years he definately would be an even larger star.

 

[aussie tragic]

blasphemy only 7 people voted for anwar. i think he was more gutsy and crafty then mr hayden. and quicker too for the most part. Had he carried on with himself in the last few years he definately would be an even larger star.

I'm sure he'll go very close to being selected as the # 2 opener

 

[SJS]

any names, sjs?

No Not only would it be controversial but worse, it would be NEEDLESS.

By the way, in the opening position Atherton averaged 39 +. That is very marginal. Sad.

 

[SJS]

I presume Wright refers to John Wright of NZLand.

He averaged only 37.8 in test matches and only 38.1 in the opening slot.

I hope there arent others like that.

 

[SJS]

Boon did not open for two thirds of the innings he played as a test cricketer. I think he should be considered primarily a number three batsman.

 

[SJS]

Statsguru claims he opened in 36 of his 107 Tests, averaging 45 and scoring his 2 highest Test scores from the position. I'm not sure someone who played just over a third of his Tests as an opener whilst playing almost double the amount of Tests and averaging more in another position should really be included in a list of openers, though.

Absolutely.
Here you can see that he opened in only 63 out of his 190 test innings whereas he batted 111 times at number three besides a few times further down.

No I wouldnt classify him amongst openers.

 

[Demolition Man]

Hayden easy.

 

[_Ed_]

I presume Wright refers to John Wright of NZLand.

He averaged only 37.8 in test matches and only 38.1 in the opening slot.

I hope there arent others like that.

Those stats don't quite do him justice. The fact that he is one of our best openers ever might say more about the rest than it does about him, but he was an excellent opener and I believe deserves his place in the poll. Probably doesn't deserve any votes though.

 

[SJS]

Those stats don't quite do him justice. The fact that he is one of our best openers ever might say more about the rest than it does about him, but he was an excellent opener and I believe deserves his place in the poll. Probably doesn't deserve any votes though.

Oh absolutely.

I just mentioned that when the same reason was given for not including Atherton.

 

[bagapath]

Oh absolutely.

I just mentioned that when the same reason was given for not including Atherton.

Wright has a superb record as an opener post 1986, the era we are interested in.

unfiltered 82 5334 185 37.82 12 23 0 - - 0 38 0
filtered 38 3019 185 45.05 8 14 - - - - 15 0

it is much superior compared to atherton's. their overall figures may be similar. but in the era we are analysing wright makes the cut. athers doesnt. its alright. even greenidge is not there. athers wont mind it!

 

[aussie tragic]

I presume Wright refers to John Wright of NZLand.

He averaged only 37.8 in test matches and only 38.1 in the opening slot.

I hope there arent others like that.

SJS, please re-read the first post of this thread. The team is being selected on performances between 1986-2006 and John Wright scored 3019 runs @ 45.05 during this time (2973 @ 44.37 as opener)

EDIT: sorry, didn't realise Bagapath had already responded with the same.

 

[age_master]

Slats is my favourite on that list, Sehwag and Langer 2nd and 3rd for me.

 

[aussie]

Hayden is my #1 as well, but Sehwag definatly needs to be in top 5. He averages 52.07 away and 52.19 at home. Thats what you want in an opener.

well yea i guess your right, his weaknes againts the short ball may be very alarming but he is overall brilliant.

 

[SJS]

SJS, please re-read the first post of this thread. The team is being selected on performances between 1986-2006 and John Wright scored 3019 runs @ 45.05 during this time (2973 @ 44.37 as opener)

EDIT: sorry, didn't realise Bagapath had already responded with the same.

Sorry my mistake