Ranking the Top 50 Opening Batsmen in Test Cricket by Runs Scored
Opening the innings in Test-match cricket can be a tricky business at the very best of times, with batsmen having to contend with facing the opposition’s best bowlers armed with a brand-new ball in their hands.
Not only that, but the pitch is also invariably offering some assistance, while a ring of slip fielders are always in place to catch any edges that may come their way.
And that makes the following five-day performances of these 50 openers, ranked in order or runs scored, all the more special…
*All stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo, correct as of September 23 2014
50. Sadiq Mohammad (Pakistan)
1 of 50
41 Tests; 72 Inns; 2,480 Runs; 34.92 Average
Part of the famous Mohammad family batting clan, Sadiq—the youngest of the five brothers—opened the innings for Pakistan for 12 years between 1969 and 1981, scoring just under 2,500 runs at a healthy average of 34.92 in that time, including five tons.
49. Ian Redpath (Australia)
2 of 50
32 Tests; 59 Inns; 2,492 Runs; 44.50 Average
Australia’s Ian Redpath played almost half of his Test career as opener with a penchant for blocking, a position from where the Victorian recorded six of his eight centuries—the last of which came in his final match against West Indies on his home ground in 1976.
48. David Boon (Australia)
3 of 50
36 Tests; 63 Inns; 2,614 Runs; 45.06 Average
Moustachioed Australia right-hander David Boon formed a highly effective opening partnership alongside Geoff Marsh in the mid-to-late 80s, before in 1989 being shunted down to No. 3 so as to make way for the emergence of future skipper Mark Taylor.
And despite some initial struggles outside off stump against the moving ball—particularly when England toured Down Under in 1986/87—the Tasmanian still scored more than 2,500 runs, including eight of his eventual 21 hundreds, at the top of the order in his Test career.
47. Aamer Sohail (Pakistan)
4 of 50
46 Tests; 76 Inns; 2,630 Runs; 36.02 Average
Pakistan batsman Aamer Sohail played in all but one of his 47 Tests between 1992 and 2000 as an opener, during which time the graceful left-hander racked up 2,630 runs at a more-than-respectable average of 36.02, with four tons and a highest score of 205.
46. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan)
5 of 5039 Tests; 65 Inns; 2,638 Runs; 41.87 Average
Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad captained his country, kept wicket, bowled and batted both in the middle—and at the top—of the order during his distinguished 55-match career between 1952 and 1969.
However, it was while opening against West Indies in Barbados in January 1958 that the “Little Master” played the longest-ever innings in the history of Test cricket, with the right-hander remaining at the crease for 970 minutes in making his highest-ever score of 337.
45. Mark Richardson (New Zealand)
6 of 50
38 Tests; 64 Inns; 2,770 Runs; 44.67 Average
Vastly under-rated New Zealand batsman Mark Richardson played all but one of the 65 Test innings for his country between 2000 and 2004 as an opener, with the obdurate left-hander compiling 2,770 runs in the process at a hugely impressive average of 44.67.
And what is more, Richardson and compatriot Glenn Turner have also both recorded the fewest number of ducks (one) out of any player in this 50-man list.
44. Geoff Marsh (Australia)
7 of 50
50 Tests; 91 Inns; 2,819 Runs; 33.55 Average
Despite making his Test debut for Australia against India in Adelaide in December 1985 batting at No. 3, Geoff Marsh would then go on to feature as an opening batsman during the course of the next seven years.
And for the second half of his career, the right-hander formed one of the most successful opening partnerships in his country’s history alongside Mark Taylor, although Marsh’s personal-best score of 138—one of his four tons—is the lowest of any player in this top 50.
43. Glenn Turner (New Zealand)
8 of 50
38 Tests; 67 Inns; 2,828 Runs; 45.61 Average
Despite starting his Test career for New Zealand with a duck against West Indies in Auckland in February 1969, Glenn Turner would go on to become one of his country’s best-ever opening batsmen during the next 14 years.
And as well as making seven centuries in that time—including a highest score of 259—the left-hander also had the distinction of carrying his bat twice, while alongside compatriot Mark Richardson the duo have recorded the fewest number of ducks (one) in this 50-man list.
42. Sherwin Campbell (West Indies)
9 of 50
50 Tests; 91 Inns; 2,856 Runs; 32.82 Average
West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell began his Test career in 1995 at exactly the moment his country’s seemingly firm grip of the global game began to wane, meaning that during the next seven years the right-hander endured a relatively testing time at the top of the order.
Consequently, despite compiling almost 3,000 runs in 50 matches, the Bajan’s disappointing final average of 32.82 is actually the lowest of any batsman in this top 50.
41. Navjot Sidhu (India)
10 of 50
45 Tests; 69 Inns; 2,911 Runs; 42.80 Average
During a Test career that spanned 16 whole years, India opener Navjot Sidhu managed to register 2,911 runs, sometimes at a pedestrian pace, while on other occasions at breakneck speed, especially if an opposition spinner was bowling at him.
However, the right-hander’s most memorable innings came in March 1997 when Sidhu made 201 against West Indies in Trinidad, the highest of his eight hundreds.
40. Simon Katich (Australia)
11 of 50
33 Tests; 61 Inns; 2,928 Runs; 50.48 Average
The first batsman in the top 50 so far to have averaged more than 50 as an opener—and one of only nine players in total in this list—Australia left-hander Simon Katich actually started out against England at Headingley in August 2001 as a No. 6.
However, the Western Australian was moved up to the top of the order for the second half of his career, and with huge success too, making almost 3,000 runs—including eight tons—in his new role.
39. Taufeeq Umar (Pakistan)
12 of 50
43 Tests; 81 Inns; 2,943 Runs; 38.72 Average
Pakistan’s Taufeeq Umar is the first batsman to date in this top 50 to have actually played his entire Test-match career solely as an opener, a position the left-hander occupied during each and every one of the 81 innings that he played for his country between 2001 and 2012.
38. Graeme Wood (Australia)
13 of 50
51 Tests; 92 Inns; 2,958 Runs; 33.61 Average
Graeme Wood was a solid and dependable opener for Australia from the late-70s to the mid-80s, during which time the left-hander compiled very nearly 3,000 runs in 51 Tests at an average of 33.61, including eight centuries.
However, the Western Australian actually brought down the curtain on his career—against Pakistan and West Indies in 1988/89—as a middle-order batsman.
37. Colin McDonald (Australia)
14 of 50
47 Tests; 81 Inns; 3,073 Runs; 39.39 Average
Colin McDonald opened the batting for Australia in all but two of the 83 innings that he played for his country between 1952 and 1961, scoring more than 3,000 runs in the process at a shade under 40.
And the Victorian’s most memorable achievement came during England’s tour Down Under in 1958-59 when registering back-to-back hundreds in the final two matches of that series, two of five centuries the right-hander made in his 47 Tests at the top of the order.
36. Michael Vaughan (England)
15 of 50
38 Tests; 72 Inns; 3,093 Runs; 45.48 Average
Former England captain Michael Vaughan opened the batting for his country throughout almost half his 82-Test career, with the Yorkshireman promoted up the order following the retirement of Michael Atherton in 2001.
And it is fair to say that the elegant right-handed batsman enjoyed his greatest success in that role, none more so than when plundering more than 1,500 runs and nine tons in 12 matches at home to Sri Lanka and India in the summer of 2002 and in Australia that winter.
35. Conrad Hunte (West Indies)
16 of 50
44 Tests; 78 Inns; 3,245 Runs; 45.06 Average
Conrad Hunte (pictured centre) opened in all 78 innings he played for West Indies between 1958 and 1967, with the right-hander starting his distinguished career by batting throughout the whole of the first day against Pakistan on his way to making 142 on his home ground in Barbados.
And the Bajan must have thought the game rather easy when just two matches later he also shared in a stand of 446 with Garry Sobers in Kingston, although Hunte’s personal-best knock of 260 was somewhat dwarfed by the latter’s then world-record score of 365 not out.
34. Dennis Amiss (England)
17 of 50
39 Tests; 69 Inns; 3,276 Runs; 53.70 Average
Dennis Amiss made his debut for England against West Indies at the Oval in August 1966 batting at No. 5, with the right-hander occupying a middle-order berth for the first six years of his international career.
However, for the final five years that he played for his country, Amiss scored 3,276 runs as an opener at an eye-catching average of 53.70, a position from where the Warwickshire batsman recorded all 11 of his Test-match hundreds.
33. Alec Stewart (England)
18 of 50
45 Tests; 77 Inns; 3,348 Runs; 44.64 Average
Alec Stewart opened the batting on and off for England for the first nine years of his record-breaking 133-Test career, before the bat-twirling Surrey stalwart then dropped down the order between 1999 and 2003 after taking over the wicket-keeping duties full time.
But it was in his role at the top of the innings that Stewart was at his most effective for his country, as was best seen when the right-hander became the first and only Englishman to make two tons in the same match against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1993/94.
32. Arthur Morris (Australia)
19 of 50
45 Tests; 76 Inns; 3,381 Runs; 45.68 Average
Left-handed batsman Arthur Morris scored 3,381 runs at the top of the order for Australia in his nine-year 45-Test career, with 11 centuries, including three in a row in his debut series Down Under against England in 1946/47.
31. John Edrich (England)
20 of 50
47 Tests; 82 Inns; 3,430 Runs; 44.54 Average
John Edrich (pictured right) was a dependable opener for England between 1963 and 1976, during which time the left-handed batsman scored an impressive 3,430 runs, while also recording eight tons, the highest of which was 310 not out against New Zealand at Headingley in July 1965.
30. Bob Simpson (Australia)
21 of 50
38 Tests; 70 Inns; 3,664 Runs; 55.51 Average
Australia captain Bob Simpson started out his international career as a middle-order batsman, before then going on to form one of his country’s most successful-ever opening partnerships alongside Bill Lawry.
In fact, it was from this new role at the top of the innings that the right-hander made eight of his 10 Test centuries, including a debut hundred against England at Old Trafford in July 1964 that lasted almost 13 hours and also turned out to be his highest-ever score of 311.
29. Mudassar Nazar (Pakistan)
22 of 50
70 Tests; 109 Inns; 3,787 Runs; 36.76 Average
Reliable Pakistan batsman Mudassar Nazar opened the innings for his country in 70 of the 76 Tests he played between 1976 and 1989—as his father Nazar Mohammad had also done prior to him—with the right-hander scoring 3,787 runs at an average of 36.76 in that time.
28. Saeed Anwar (Pakistan)
23 of 50
54 Tests; 86 Inns; 3,957 Runs; 47.10 Average
Dashing Pakistan left-hander Saeed Anwar made just under 4,000 runs at the top of the order in 54 matches between 1990 and 2001 at an average of 47.10, including 11 tons, a fine record that makes him his country’s highest-scoring opening batsman in Tests.
27. Gautam Gambhir (India)
24 of 50
55 Tests; 97 Inns; 4,011 Runs; 43.59 Average
Despite Gautam Gambhir’s recent travails for his country at the top of the order, the left-hander is still one of India’s most prolific openers after compiling more than 4,000 runs in 55 Tests at an average of 43.59 since making his debut against Australia in Mumbai in 2004.
26. Roy Fredericks (West Indies)
25 of 50
58 Tests; 108 Inns; 4,329 Runs; 42.86 Average
Left-handed Guyanese batsman Roy Fredericks (pictured fielding) opened in all but one of his 109 innings for West Indies in a 58-Test career lasting between 1968 and 1977, racking up 4,329 runs and eight hundreds in the process on his way to finishing with an average of 42.86.
25. Herbert Sutcliffe (England)
26 of 50
54 Tests; 83 Inns; 4,522 Runs; 61.10 Average
Herbert Sutcliffe formed one of England’s most successful-ever opening partnerships in Test cricket alongside Jack Hobbs between 1924 and 1930, with the Yorkshireman then going on to play for another five years for his country.
And when retiring in 1935 having made 54 Test appearances, the right-hander had amassed more than 4,500 runs at a stunning average of 61.10, the highest of any batsman in this top 50.
24. Justin Langer (Australia)
27 of 50
65 Tests; 115 Inns; 5,112 Runs; 48.22 Average
Justin Langer started out his Test career in 1993 batting at No. 3 for Australia, before the diminutive batsman was then promoted up the order to form his country’s most prolific-ever opening partnership alongside fellow left-hander Matthew Hayden.
And in the history of the game, only West Indian pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes have made more than the 5,655 runs the duo scored between 2001 and 2007, with the Western Australian himself compiling over 5,000 runs in his 65 matches as an opener.
23. Jack Hobbs (England)
28 of 50
58 Tests; 97 Inns; 5,130 Runs; 56.37 Average
All but one of Jack Hobbs’ (pictured right) 15 Test hundreds were made while opening the batting for England with great aplomb in 58 matches between 1908 and 1930, the final six years of which were spent in partnership with Herbert Sutcliffe.
In fact, the two batsmen scored an incredible 3,249 runs together in just 38 innings in that time—including 15 century stands—at a mind-boggling average of 87.81, easily the highest of any pair at the top of the order in Test cricket.
22. Bill Lawry (Australia)
29 of 50
67 Tests; 123 Inns; 5,234 Runs; 47.15 Average
Former Australia captain Bill Lawry opened in every single one of the 123 innings that he played for his country between 1961 and 1971, with the obdurate left-handed batsman making more than 5,000 runs in that time at an excellent average of 47.15.
And not only that, but the courageous Victorian also managed to carry his bat on two separate occasions in his 67-Test career, which is quite some achievement in itself.
21. Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa)
30 of 50
68 Tests; 116 Inns; 5,242 Runs; 47.22 Average
While Herschelle Gibbs may have started out his Test career for South Africa in 1996 batting at No. 3, within two years the free-scoring batsman had been moved up the order to open the innings, a role he took to with great ease.
So much so in fact that when Gibbs—the first Proteas player on this 50-man list—retired in 2008, the right-hander had amassed 5,242 runs in that position, including all 14 of his hundreds, at an impressive average of 47.22.
20. John Wright (New Zealand)
31 of 50
80 Tests; 144 Inns; 5,260 Runs; 38.11 Average
Ex-New Zealand captain John Wright was a dogged figure at the top of the order throughout three different decades, with the unorthodox batsman ending his Test-match career in 1993 having made more than 5,000 runs opening the batting for his country in 80 matches.
Consequently, the left-hander is the highest-scoring Kiwi opener in the history of the game.
19. Michael Slater (Australia)
32 of 50
74 Tests; 131 Inns; 5,312 Runs; 42.83 Average
Michael Slater opened the innings for Australia in all 131 innings that he played for his country between 1993 and 2001, during which time the attacking right-hander clobbered 5,312 runs at an average of 42.83.
And the New South Wales batsman’s six-year partnership at the top of the order with skipper Mark Taylor—the pair compiled 3,887 runs together between 1993 and 1999 at an average of 51.14—makes them the sixth-most productive opening duo in Test cricket.
18. Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka)
33 of 50
79 Tests; 136 Inns; 5,317 Runs; 43.22 Average
The first Sri Lankan so far to appear in this top 50, Marvan Atapattu actually began his Test career against India in 1990 batting at No. 7, before then being moved up alongside Sanath Jayasuriya at the top of the order some seven years later.
And during the next 10 years together, the duo became their country’s most successful-ever opening partnership, with the patient right-hander going on to register all 16 of his career tons in that role—including an incredible six double-centuries—while making 5,317 runs.
17. Gary Kirsten (South Africa)
34 of 50
84 Tests; 149 Inns; 5,726 Runs; 41.79 Average
Gary Kirsten was a rock at the top of the order for South Africa throughout the 84 Test matches he played in that role between 1993 and 2002, before the left-hander then moved down a place to No. 3 in the batting line-up for the final two years of his career.
However, with more than 5,500 runs and 14 hundreds to his name during that time, Kirsten is second only to former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith when it comes to being his country’s most prolific opening batsmen.
16. Marcus Trescothick (England)
35 of 50
76 Tests; 142 Inns; 5,824 Runs; 43.78 Average
Marcus Trescothick shared a number of different opening partners during his six-year England career, starting off with Michael Atherton, before teaming up with Michael Vaughan and then finally ending up alongside Andrew Strauss.
But whoever the larger-than-life left-hander batted with, Trescothick made runs, in fact very nearly 6,000 of them in just 142 innings at a more-than-decent average of 43.78, before his career was brought to a premature end in 2006 by a stress-related illness.
15. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
36 of 50
90 Tests; 152 Inns; 5,932 Runs; 41.48 Average
Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya’s first appearance for his country, against New Zealand in February 1991, actually came batting down at No. 6, with the destructive left-hander only moving up to open the innings some three years after that.
And a further three years later Marvan Atapattu then joined Jayasuriya at the top of the order—the pair would go to become the fourth-most successful Test opening partnership—with the latter ending his career as the subcontinental island’s most prolific-ever opener.
14. Leonard Hutton (England)
37 of 50
76 Tests; 131 Inns; 6,721 Runs; 56.47 Average
Generally recognised as being England’s most accomplished post-war batsman, Len Hutton (pictured centre) opened the innings in all but three of the 79 Tests he played for his country between 1937 and 1955, scoring a massive 6,721 runs at an imposing average of 56.47 in the process.
And it was from that position at the top of the order that the Yorkshireman, in just his sixth match, recorded the then world-record score of 364 against Australia at the Oval in August 1938.
13. Andrew Strauss (England)
38 of 50
97 Tests; 171 Inns; 6,741 Runs; 40.85 Average
Former England skipper Andrew Strauss scored all but one of his 21 Test centuries while opening the innings for his country in 97 matches between 2004 and 2012, during which time the classy left-hander compiled more than 6,500 runs at an average a shade over 40.
And throughout his eight-year international career, the Middlesex batsman formed two hugely prolific left-handed partnerships at the top of the order, firstly alongside Marcus Trescothick (2004-2006), and then with Alastair Cook (2006-2012).
12. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
39 of 50
99 Tests; 173 Inns; 7,028 Runs; 43.11 Average
West Indies left-hander Chris Gayle may have started out his Test career against Zimbabwe in 2000 batting at No. 3, but it was not long before the big-hitting batsman soon found himself shunted up to open the innings, and with great success too.
In fact, in 99 matches to date at the top of the order, the always-smiling Jamaican has made more than 7,000 runs at an average of 43.11, with 15 hundreds, including a personal-best score of 333 against Sri Lanka at Galle in November 2010.
11. Desmond Haynes (West Indies)
40 of 50
116 Tests; 201 Inns; 7,472 Runs; 42.45 Average
Desmond Haynes played all but one of his 202 Test-match innings for West Indies between 1978 and 1994 as an opener, scoring 7,472 runs and 18 tons at a healthy average of 42.45 in the process, including 25 not outs—more than any other batsman in this top 50.
And the vast majority of the right-hander’s time at the top of the order was spent alongside Gordon Greenidge, with the duo going on to form the most successful-ever partnership for the first wicket in the history of the game from 1978 until the latter retired in 1991.
10. Michael Atherton (England)
41 of 50
108 Tests; 197 Inns; 7,476 Runs; 39.14 Average
Despite starting out his Test career against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1989 batting at No. 3, ex-England captain Michael Atherton would go on to open the batting for his country in 108 matches across an 11-year period, scoring almost 7,500 runs at just under 40 in that time.
And while the gritty right-hander made 17 ducks in his 197 innings at the top of the order—more than any other player in this top 50—Atherton also managed to register an impressive 45 half-centuries in the role, the most on this list.
9. Gordon Greenidge (West Indies)
42 of 50
107 Tests; 182 Inns; 7,488 Runs; 45.10 Average
Gordon Greenidge (pictured right) amassed 7,488 runs in 107 Tests at an average of 45.10 while batting at the top of the order for West Indies for 17 years between 1974 and 1991, making the savage right-hander his country’s most prolific opener.
Not only that, but in tandem with Desmond Haynes from 1978 until his own retirement, the Bajan went on to form the most successful-ever partnership for the first wicket in the history of the game, with the duo racking up a record-breaking 16 century stands together.
8. Mark Taylor (Australia)
43 of 50
104 Tests; 186 Inns; 7,525 Runs; 43.49 Average
Ex-Australia captain Mark Taylor played all 186 innings for his country as an opener, scoring 7,525 runs and 19 tons in a brilliant 10-year Test career. He equalled Donald Bradman’s highest score for the Baggy Greens when making 334 not out against Pakistan in 1998.
And in partnership with Michael Slater at the top of the order between 1993 and 1999, the Victorian left-hander managed to put on 10 century stands while averaging 51.14 in unison.
7. Graham Gooch (England)
44 of 50
100 Tests; 184 Inns; 7,811 Runs; 43.88 Average
Ex-England skipper Graham Gooch (pictured left) began his Test career against Australia at Trent Bridge in July 1975 batting at No. 5, collecting an ignominious pair in the process, before then being promoted up the order to open the innings alongside Geoffrey Boycott three years later.
And from that position the right-hander went on to score 7,811 of the 8,900 runs in total that he made in his career—a record for his country—at an average of 43.88, with 18 hundreds, including a personal best of 333 against India at Lord’s in July 1990.
6. Alastair Cook (England)
45 of 50
102 Tests; 182 Inns; 7,845 Runs; 45.61 Average
England captain Alastair Cook has opened in 102 of the 109 Tests he has played for his country, making 7,845 runs in that time at an excellent average of 45.61, including scoring an unbeaten century at the top of the order on his debut against India in March 2006.
In fact, the left-hander has managed to rack up 23 of his national-record 25 hundreds from that position at the head of the innings, with yet more surely still to come…
5. Geoffrey Boycott (England)
46 of 50
107 Tests; 191 Inns; 8,091 Runs; 48.16 Average
Opposition bowlers tended to need a fork-lift truck to remove Geoffrey Boycott from the wicket, which is why the right-hander scored more than 8,000 runs in 107 Tests at an eye-catching average of 48.16 at the top of the order for England between 1964 and 1982
And as a result, the no-nonsense Yorkshireman—who also made 22 centuries in his international career—is currently his country’s most prolific ever opening batsman.
4. Virender Sehwag (International Cricket Council and India)
47 of 50
99 Tests; 170 Inns; 8,207 Runs; 50.04 Average
Pocket-sized India batsman Virender Sehwag actually started out his Test career against South Africa in November 2001 at No. 6, with the destructive right-hander scoring a century on debut, before then being moved up the order to open the innings just a year later.
And with great success too as Viru carved his way to 8,207 runs in only 99 matches at a breathtaking strike-rate—while also managing to average 50.04—and added a further 22 tons to that maiden hundred he made against the Proteas in Bloemfontein 13 years ago.
3. Matthew Hayden (Australia)
48 of 50
103 Tests; 184 Inns; 8,625 Runs; 50.73 Average
Imposing left-hander batsman Matthew Hayden played all 184 innings of his Test career between 1994 and 2009 at the top of the order for his country, with the Queenslander making 8,625 runs—including 30 hundreds—at a stunning average of 50.73 in the process.
And that means Haydos is the most prolific opener in the history of Australian cricket, while his personal-best score of 380 against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003 is also the highest individual knock of any player in this 50-man list.
2. Graeme Smith (ICC and South Africa)
49 of 50
114 Tests; 196 Inns; 9,030 Runs; 49.07 Average
One of only two batsmen in the history of the game to have scored more than 9,000 Test runs at the top of the order, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith also retired in March 2014 as his country’s most successful ever opener.
Meanwhile, the left-hander’s final tally of 27 centuries that he made in the role during his 12-year Proteas career has only been surpassed by two other players in this 50-man list.
1. Sunil Gavaskar (India)
50 of 50
119 Tests; 203 Inns; 9,607 Runs; 50.29 Average
Between 1971 and 1987, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar scored 9,607 runs at the top of the order for his country at a scintillating average of 50.29, a total unmatched by any other player in this top 50.
And not only that, but throughout his illustrious 16-year international career the little right-handed run machine also played in more Tests (119), batted in more innings (203) and made more hundreds (33) in the role than all the other 49 openers in this entire list.
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