Ab de Villiers vs Hashim Amla vs Graeme Smith

[ataraxia]

The great thing in this case, is this isn't just rampant speculation, like it could be in many other such cases. From 14 matches, in 23 innings opening Dravid averaged 42.47. That's your modern greats opener. He's certainly a great bet over Hayden, Sehwag, G Smith. And opening isn't a specialized position, you can just throw in a great defensive middle order bat and it translates perfectly.

(Rolleyes is harsh, but come on man.)

samplesizelol

 

[shortpitched713]

True, but as you go up from like 5 to 10 to 15 to 20(rule of thumb cutoff for many sample minimums), the strength increases a lot. 14 is a decentish sample, although it could well be wrong. It certainly doesn't prove that opening and middle order batting aren't distinct skillsets, which is the whole hypothesis around the "opener tax", and choosing specialist openers over middle order bats in those positions.