Five Modern Day Opening Test Batsmen Who Revolutionised Red-ball Cricket

One of the most difficult roles is Test cricket is played by the openers in nutshell. They have to battle against the new and moving ball and set up a good platform for the rest of their batters and side in particular.

Subsequently, there are some of the finest modern day batsmen who were able to take on the opposition from the get-go. These Test openers were successful in hitting the ground running.

Moreover, they were subsequently successful in providing a brisk start at the top of the order. Therefore, these five openers were able to transform the Test cricket.

Also, here are the five modern-day opening Test batsmen who revolutionised red-ball format.

Matthew Hayden:

Southpaw Matthew Hayden had the ability to run away with the game. The Australian opening batsman was instrumental in giving solid starts to his team.

Hayden had the perfect technique to come good against the new red-ball.

Hayden scored 8,625 runs in the 103 Test matches. Moreover, the combative left-hander scored his runs at an average of 50.74 and strike rate of 60.11.

Thus, the Aussie opener laid the plinth for aggressive batting at the top of the order, in the red-ball format.

Meanwhile, Hayden also held the record of the highest individual score of 380 runs which was later broken by veteran Brian Lara.

Graeme Smith:

Graeme Smith played a huge role in taking South African cricket to greater heights. The southpaw batsman was handed over the captaincy onus at a young age and he was able to deliver the goods for the Proteas team.

Meanwhile, Smith also led from the front as he took the extra responsibility to open the innings. Smith had his own technique and he was able to come up roses at the top of the order.

The left-hander scored 9,265 Test runs at an average of 47.76.

Furthermore, he was able to get his runs at an impressive strike rate of 59.68. Thus, he provided solid and quick starts at the summit of the batting order.

Sanath Jayasuriya:

Sanath Jayasuriya always liked to catapult his attack on the opposition from the word go. The southpaw batsman was a batting mainstay in the Sri Lanka batting line-up.

The legendary Sri Lankan batsman scored 6,973 runs in the 110 Test matches at an average of 40.07.

Moreover, the pugnacious left-hander scored his runs at a strike rate of 65.27 in the era when Test cricket was played in such a traditional way.

Thus, Jayasuriya came up with a new strategy to hit the ground running with his pyrotechnics.

In fact, the veteran batsman was successful in giving good starts to the Islanders.

David Warner:

Known for his aggressive approach, David Warner continued Hayden’s legacy in the Australian cricket.

The southpaw batsman is known to take charge on the opposition in the initial stages of the Test innings.

Warner took the attacking skills to the new level with his blistering strokeplay. The left-hander knew his strength and made the most of his combative talent.

The former Australian deputy has scored 6,363 runs in the 74 Test matches.

Consequently, Warner has thus far smashed his runs at a blistering strike of 74.52. Thus, he played his part in providing brisk starts to the Australian team.

Meanwhile, Warner will like to make a strong comeback after the ball-tampering scandal at Cape Town.

Virender Sehwag:

Many people thought Virender Sehwag would not savour success in the longest format because of his footwork.

However, the Indian opener smashed all the questions in his very first innings against South Africa when he scored a fine century on debut.

Moreover, Sehwag transformed the longest format with his powerful stroke making. In fact, he was one of the reasons to get Test cricket back on track.

The right-hander scored his runs at a staggering run-rate of 82.23. Sehwag was also consistent with his average of 49.34 which was a perfect icing on the cake.

Interestingly, Sehwag got to his 300 by smashing a six at Multan which speaks volume of his fearless batting display.