CMS Test XI of last 50 Years- Openers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, Cook will rewrite the records for opening bats, in terms of runs scored at least. Will probably go past Gavaskar's hundred total eventually too.

[Gingerfinch]

I see Splinters has voted

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is the poll for number three.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20730&p=623548#p623548

[Arthur Crabtree]

Barry Richards usually gets a mention, but can't really include him given his lack of Test opportunity.

[sussexpob]

In fact, Id probably estimate that Hayden's third test hundred in India 2001 was worth as much in character and guts as 20 of Smith's career ones

My link takes off Zimbabwe and BD, and Smith still averages 47.4. Haydos' average drops a lot with those teams taken off. Not that I don't think he was very good.

I make it 46.1.... but without the worst three teams of his time (West Indies, BD and Zim) he drops down to 42.

You also have to take into account the fact, in comparative terms to other batters, he never had the misfortune of finding himself batting against his own bowlers, and I would say South Africa in his career span had the best consistent bowling attack in cricket.

I do believe that he played against Windies touring sides that were half on strike about the whole digicel deals

[shankycricket]

Surprised to see so many votes for Sehwag given his record in conditions assisting seam bowlers. He averages 35 outside Asia.

Gavaskar and Biff.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cheers Shanky. Classic left and right hand combo.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Handy off spin from Smith. Not that many openers who bowl.

[Arthur Crabtree]

24 hours left to vote on this.

If you haven't, please cast a vote on the number three slot here.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20730

[Arthur Crabtree]

So our openers are

1. Gavaskar
2. Sehwag

I'm wondering if I should have stuck with my long term partner for Gavaskar, Gordon Greenidge, but the two I voted for go forward, so fair enough. Although two of these got a lot of the vote, I think about ten options could have been picked without too much surprise.

[shankycricket]

Do people actually think a bloke who averaged in the 20s in 3 out of the 4 countries that assist seam bowling as the 2nd best Test opener in the world over a 50 year time span?????? Or are they picking him for the contrast that he offers with Gavaskar and because there is enough batting to follow anyway, might as well try for the lottery first up?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pretty much excelled at home/in Asia though. And batted well in Australia (against Australia).

Change your vote from Greg Chappell Shanky, and you can decide the number three slot.

[shankycricket]

Viv, it is then.