CMS Test XI of last 50 Years- Openers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I did something similar to this for the Ashes during last year's contest. This is to collect by vote a world Test XI since 1965. So probably recent enough for your parents to have seen... More or less. Any stats shown are from games against top eight sides and not including the ICC XI game.

First up are the openers. These openers have scored 4000 Test runs against top eight sides, only including their runs made as opener. But with one exception. I withheld Roy Fredericks due to his small number of tons (eight), and added Dennis Amiss, who is the top averaging opener of anyone with over 3000 Test runs (52) made after 1965. Runs made before 1965 are ignored in view of positions on the list and linked stats in this series (so, for Boycott, in this case).


http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Players are named in order of average.

Below, best averages of openers to score 3000+ runs. Lawry, Edrich, Saeed Anwar all average 45+ on this list. If you want to pick a player not in the poll, just name him and I'll add them to the result.


http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

VOTE NOW!

Poll is open for seven days. Every three days I'll add another category.

[Gingerfinch]

I've gone all Indian, with Sunil and Virender. Gavasker is always mentioned as the best opener of the modern era, not that I saw much of him, and Sehwag is just destructive and loves massive scores.

[Arthur Crabtree]

For me, Gavaskar was the obvious pick. After him, a lot of players are difficult to separate. For years, Greenidge was always my preferred partner for Gavaskar. Though Gooch gets close as a player of legendary opening innings. But I decided to pair Sunny with a more modern opening bat, and a player who could score big, and fast enough to really hurt the opposition- Virender Sehwag.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I've gone all Indian, with Sunil and Virender. Gavasker is always mentioned as the best opener of the modern era, not that I saw much of him, and Sehwag is just destructive and loves massive scores.

Good start for the Indians! Surprising there are so many England players on the openers list- given that I doubt any more England players are going to feature (based on averages). Alec Stewart averages 40+ as an opening bat also, but has fewer than 4000 runs in that position. Maybe he'll figure in the keepers list.

[Gingerfinch]

Saeed Anwar should be on that list.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only fifteen places though. I think only Gibbs on the fifteen I've included is someone who, if he wasn't on the list, you wouldn't similarly say he should be... But you can vote for Anwar, as I say. Or anyone.

[Gingerfinch]

Amiss will be getting a vote if a certain Lancastrian decides to vote!

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's sort of why he's there!

[Arthur Crabtree]

But it's remarkable that he's got the best average of anyone over 3000 runs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A vote for Graeme Smith. That must be Sussex....

[Gingerfinch]

We'll know Mike's back on line when Greenidge and Haynes get a vote

[sussexpob]

A vote for Graeme Smith. That must be Sussex....

Yes, I misread the thread title as being "luckiest test player of the last 50 years".... I was just disappointed I couldnt vote him twice.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He's never mentioned being lucky on commentary.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Viru taking an early lead.

[Gingerfinch]

Arthur

Will you be doing a number three separately to the other middle order?