Opening batters in cricket play a crucial role in laying the foundation for a match. They are the ones who provide the base for the entire team. Their role becomes even more critical in the game's longest format, where they have to negotiate some bowling-friendly conditions and the ball itself. Till now, there have been some great opening pairs in world cricket who have fascinated many. This article explores some of Australia's best opening pairs in Cricket Test match.
1. Mathew Hayden And Justin Langer
Two of Australia’s best batters, Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer, top this list. This left-handed duo was regarded the most dangerous opening pair of their era. They were both fierce and tough on their own, and when they joined forces, they became even more powerful. From 2001 to 2007, the pair opened for Australia in 113 Test innings, scoring 5655 runs at an average of 51.41. In Test cricket history, they are Australia's most successful opening pair.
2. Mark Taylor And Michael Slater
Mark Taylor, a former Australian captain, and Michael Slater are second on the list. The two were completely different in their playing approaches, yet they were highly successful in International Cricket as an opening pair. Both of their styles probably complemented each other. Slater was fearless and a stroke maker, while Taylor was cautious and conservative. In the 78 innings they opened together, they scored 3887 runs at an average of 51.14.
3. Bob Simpson And Bill Lawry
Third on the list is the duo of Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry. They both opened for Australia in Test cricket from 1961 to 1967. This duo has achieved some incredible feats for Australia as openers. In 1965, at Bridgetown against the West Indies, they recorded the highest opening partnership for Australia in Test cricket of 382 runs. In the 62 innings they opened together, they scored 3596 runs at an impressive average of 59.93.
4. Chris Rogers And David Warner
Chris Rogers and David Warner are the next pair on the list. Both of them were very different in their mindset and approach. Warner was the one who liked to score runs quickly, while Rogers took his time on the wicket and was more of a typical Test match batsman. However, their different batting approaches complemented them and the team in general. They scored more than 2000 runs in the 41 innings they opened together at an average of 50.07.
5. Geoff Marsh And Mark Taylor
Geoff Marsh, father of Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh, and Mark Taylor are next to feature on the list. The duo has played some of Australia’s most memorable innings together. One cannot forget the 1989 Ashes, where the two built a 329 run stand-the highest opening partnership for Australia in the Ashes. In 47 innings, the duo scored 1980 runs at an average of 44.
6. Geoff Marsh And David Boon
Next, we have David Boon and Geoff Marsh. The duo has a significant place in Australia’s test history. The two opened together for Australia from 1985 to 1988. The duo scored 1871 runs in 41 innings at an average of 46.78 and gave their team some solidity and stability. This was the phase when Allan Border was Australia’s captain, and the team, in general, was taking a revolutionary curve to build one of the strongest Test teams ever.
7. Simon Katich And Shane Watson
Next, we have the left-handed and right-handed combination of Simon Katich and Shane Watson. This pair opened together for Australia in Test cricket only briefly (2009 to 2010) but was tremendously effective and valuable to the team. In the 28 innings they played together, they scored 1523 runs at an impressive average of 54.39.
8. Joe Burns And David Warner
Joe Burns and David Warner are next on the list. These two were also very different in their techniques and styles, but they performed well together. Warner was aggressive, while Burns was watchful. The left-right combination could have also been effective for them. The duo amassed 1365 runs at an average of more than 50 in the 27 innings they opened together.
9. Keith Stackpole And Bill Lawry
Keith Stackpole and Bill Lawry are the next pair to feature on the list. They played as openers for Australia from 1969 to 1971 and played in 31 innings, scoring a total of 1302 runs at an average of 44.90. Lawry was a stroke maker and a stylish player who liked to score runs quickly, and Stackpole was strong and tall and able to clear any ground in the world.
10. ED Cowan And David Warner
Ed Cowan and David Warner is another left-handed pair to feature on the list. These two played as openers together from 2011 to 2013. The duo scored 1256 runs in 28 innings at an average of 44.86. Even though they both had a decent record together, they could not continue it in the long run.
