The New Zealand cricket team has been a constant performer in the one-day (50-over) format in recent years and has had its share of success on the international stage. They are currently two-time finalists in the men's ODI World Cup. The team has evolved immensely over the years and is capable of beating any team on any given day. Now, we shall list out some of New Zealand's best opening batters in ODI cricket.
1. Martin Guptil
Martin Guptill, a blistering and flamboyant right-handed opening batter from Auckland, is next on the list. He began his ODI career in 2009 and since then has been a permanent member of the ODI team. So far, in 174 innings as an opener, he has scored 6721 runs, averaging above 40. He has scored 18 hundred and 34 fifties and also has a double century to his name.
2. Nathan Astle
Nathan Astle, an attacking right-handed batter and one of the best opening batters that New Zealand has had in its ODI history, is first on the list. In the 223 one-day internationals he played for New Zealand, he opened the innings in 186 matches and scored over 6000 runs, with 14 centuries and 37 fifties to his name.
3. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum, the dynamic and explosive right-handed wicketkeeper batter from Dunedin, Otago, is next on the list. From 2002 to 2016, Brendon featured in 260 one-day internationals for New Zealand. He played as an opening batter in 107 ODIs and scored 3363 runs at an average of 32.97. He scored four centuries and 19 fifties as an opening batter.
4. John Wright
Next, we have John Wright, a left-handed opening batter from Canterbury. Wright started playing for New Zealand in one-day internationals in 1978 and played until 1992. Out of the 149 ODIs he played for New Zealand, he opened the innings in 135 matches and amassed 3604 runs at an average of 26.89, with one hundred and 23 fifties to his name.
5. Stephen Fleming
Next on the list is Stephen Fleming, a left-handed batter from Christchurch and one of New Zealand’s greatest captains. Fleming played for New Zealand in one-day internationals from 1994 to 2007 and opened the innings 103 times. He scored 3280 runs at an average of 33.81, with five centuries and 19 fifties to his name.
6. Bruce Edgar
The next player to feature on the list is Bruce Edgar, a left-handed wicketkeeper and opening batter from Wellington. From 1978 until 1986, Edgar played 64 one-day internationals for New Zealand and opened the innings in 62 of them. He scored 1781 runs as an opener at an average of 31.24, including a hundred and ten fifties.
7. Tom Latham
Tom Latham, a left-handed wicketkeeper batter from Canterbury, Christchurch, is next to feature on the list. Tom started his one-day international career in 2012 against Zimbabwe and since then has been a regular in the New Zealand ODI team. Until now, he has played the role of an opening batter in 37 ODIs, scoring 1254 runs at an average of 38 with three centuries and eight half-centuries to his name.
8. Bryan Young
Bryan Young was a right-handed wicketkeeper batter from Whangarei, Northland. Young played for New Zealand in one-day internationals from 1990 to 1999 in a total of 74 matches. He played as an opening batter in 63 matches and scored 1463 runs at an average of 24.38. His highest score as an opener was 74 against South Africa at Hobart in 1993.
9. Glenn Turner
Glenn Turner, one of New Zealand’s most prolific and premier top-order batters in the 70s, is next on the list. From 1973 until 1983, Turner opened the innings for New Zealand in 29 matches and scored 1197 runs at an impressive average of around 50. He scored three centuries and seven fifties as an opener.
10. Lou Vincent
Lou Vincent, a right-handed batter from Auckland, played for New Zealand in ODIs in 102 matches. Vincent opened the innings for the Kiwis in 40 one-day internationals and scored 1182 runs at an average of 30.30. He scored three centuries and five fifties in his career as an opener, with the highest score of 172 against Zimbabwe in 2005.
