When building a house, the foundation is considered the most vital part. The stronger the foundation, the stronger the house. Likewise, in cricket, the foundation partnership or the opening partnership is the most important one for any team. A good opening partnership can change the course of the game in one's favour right from the beginning and is therefore quite crucial for any batting team. In this article, we will look at some of the English openers who have scored the most runs in partnerships across formats.

1. Alastair Cook And Andrew Strauss

The first opening pair to feature on our list comprises two former England captains and left-handed batters, Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss. The two started opening together in international cricket in 2006 and, until 2012, batted together in 117 innings. They scored 4711 runs at an average of 40.96 with 12 hundred-plus partnerships to their name.

2. Andrew Strauss And Marcus Trescothick

The next pair to appear on our list is Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick, one of England’s most prolific opening pairs ever. From 2003 to 2006, the two opened the batting for England in 70 innings and scored 3,508 runs at an average of 51.58. The two scored 11 hundred plus partnerships, with the highest being 273.

3. Jack Hobbs And Herbert Sutcliffe

The third pair to appear on our list is Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. This duo opened the batting for England in 38 innings from 1924 to 1930 and amassed 3249 runs at an impressive average of 87.81. The two had 15 century-plus stands together, with the highest being 283.

4. Mike Atherton And Graham Gooch

The duo of Mike Atherton and Graham Gooch is next on our list. These two opened the batting for England in 54 innings from 1990 to 1995 and scored 2936 runs at an average of 54.37. They had eight hundred and plus partnerships to their name, with the highest being 225.

5. Jonny Bairstow And Jason Roy

The next pair to show up on our list is that of Johnny Bairstow and Jason Roy, two of England’s most dynamic batters at present. The two started opening the innings for England in 2017, and since then they have opened together in 51 innings. They have scored 2924 runs at an average of 57.33 with 14 hundred-plus partnerships so far.

6. Len Hutton And Cyril Washbrook

Len Hutton and Cyril Washbrook are the next two openers to feature on our list. These two started opening together in 1946 and, until 1951, opened the batting in 51 innings. They scored 2880 runs at an average of 60, with eight partnerships scoring above one hundred and the highest being 359.

7. Marcus Trescothick And Michael Vaughan

The duo of Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan make up the next opening pair to appear on our list. From 2002 to 2005, these two opened the batting for England in 63 innings and scored 2721 runs at an average of 45.35. They scored six century-plus stands, with the highest being 182.

8. Mike Atherton And Alec Stewart

Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart opened the batting for England in 66 innings from 1994 to 1998 and scored 2625 runs at an average of 40.38. This places them at eight on our list. The two scored eight century-plus and twelve fifty-plus partnerships together, with the highest being 171.

9. Geoffrey Boycott And Graham Gooch

Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Gooch are the ninth pair on our list. These two started opening the batting together in 1978 and, until 1982, opened in 61 innings. They combined for 2274 runs scored at an average of 39.2, six century-plus partnerships, and eleven fifty-plus partnerships. Their highest partnership in international cricket was 154.

10. Jack Hobbs And Wilfred Rhodes

The tenth and last opening pair to feature on our list comprises Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes. These two first opened the innings for England in 1910, and until 1921, the two opened 36 innings together. They amassed 2146 runs at an average of 61.31 with eight century-plus stands together. Their highest partnership in international cricket was 323 against Australia at Melbourne in 1912.