Poor quality of Test match openers world wide currently

[Amjid Javed]

When looking at the quality of opening batsmen around the world in test cricket i dont see a single world class player at the top of the order for any of the test nations. Adding to that even finding half decent ones seems to be an issue world wide. Yes there are a few decent new ball bowlers around the world so that can make opening difficult but the lack of decent Technic, inability to leave the ball or even basic defense seems to be missing from a lot or openers.

Yes LOI cricket maybe having a knocking effect on finding decent openers in longer version of the game, but even domestically around the world there are not many stand out candidates where you would look at a player and say they look like they could thrive in test cricket.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I agree. But I would say Latham and Dimuth Karunatne (spelling lol) are world class Test openers.

 

[Ab Fan]

Dean Elgar looked world class a couple of years back, quite sure he still is.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I agree. But I would say Latham and Dimuth Karunatne (spelling lol) are world class Test openers.

Probably the best of a mediocre bunch world wide, i wouldnt say either was world class though.

 

[cricket4all]

Your right AJ their are none. I can’t see anyone coming close to world class after Cook retired. (I also think fast bowling standards have declined but that’s another subject).

 

[aloo paratha]

Azhar Ali averages 47 as an opener but we're hell bent on playing him at 3.

 

[Saj]

Poor techniques, mentally weak and impatient batsmen attempting to see-off the new ball.

 

[Ab Fan]

Azhar Ali averages 47 as an opener but we're hell bent on playing him at 3.

It's really farcical.

 

[Aman]

Latham and Karunatne are good.

Warner is out of touch but he's great too and capable of winning matches on his day.

 

[Shazzam]

Open with Azhar and Asad than watch them go.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

The fact is that in the last two years almost everywhere the pitches have been bowler friendly as a consequence of which good openers like dean elgar,dave warner had their worst two years in 2018 and 2019.They were surely world class pre 2018.

 

[Shazzam]

The fact is that in the last two years almost everywhere the pitches have been bowler friendly as a consequence of which good openers like dean elgar,dave warner had their worst two years in 2018 and 2019.They were surely world class pre 2018.

I don’t mind this. This is a way to differ Test cricket from limited overs. I think what you are trying to say is due to limited overs being batsmen friendly the batsmen now a days have lost the ability to play proper cricket. The gutsy attitude is gone cause they wanna hit. Technically they are not as strong as they used to be. I can defiantly see this as a reason to why there are no good openers in Test cricket.

 

[Abdullah719]

Since the start of 2018:

 

[Amjid Javed]

Azhar Ali averages 47 as an opener but we're hell bent on playing him at 3.

Was actually Azhars choice to move to number 3, he shouldnt even be in the team now hes that far past his sell by date.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Poor techniques, mentally weak and impatient batsmen attempting to see-off the new ball.

Wouldnt even say they try and see new ball off, its pretty much try and hit everything. Players have lost art of leaving ball, forward defense and making bowlers earn their wickets.

 

[sweep_shot]

Not a single team in the world currently has a settled opening pair (Test format). It is kind of sad.

 

[The Viper]

In LOI, there a number of successful openers because the conditions are normally easier.

It shows that nobody really has the ability to play the moving ball or spin for non subcontinent batsman.

Latham's stats look good, but can he do it against better opposition? The recent knock vs SL was very good.

 

[Saj]

Since the start of 2018:

By and large some very ordinary numbers from some very ordinary players.

Look like a bunch of jokers when in the past you've watched Hayden, Langer, Sehwag, Gooch, Greenidge, Haynes, Cook, G Smith etc.

 

[JattMaula]

Since the start of 2018:

Really depressing numbers. One year period should at least have some purple patch spikes.

Whichever team first finds two performing openers will have massive advantage.