The 5 best ODI Openers in the world currently
Cricket on most occasions these days pits the batting might of two countries against each other. Thus, it has become more important to pile on enormous totals to bat the opposition out of the game.
The role of the opener too has changed with the evolving mindset. Whereas they were earlier tasked with seeing off the new ball, the openers are now entrusted with providing rollicking starts to set the platform for a big score.
Over the years, several of ODI cricket’s finest have batted at the top of the order. Even today, the trend hasn’t shifted and teams try to ensure their best batsmen face the new ball.
Thus, with the openers now assuming more responsibility, it is warranted that we take a look at who the best openers in the world are currently.
Without further ado, here is a look at the best ODI openers in the world currently:
Honourable Mentions: Quinton de Kock and Jason Roy
#5 Hashim Amla (South Africa)
The right-hander burst onto the scene as a proficient Test batsman yet over the years, has moulded his game to be an ever-present in both Tests and ODIs.
Amla averages an astonishing 50.34 in the fifty over format and rarely lets his team down. The right-handed batsman is also quite efficient at keeping things ticking and strikes at a rate of 89.31 per 100 balls.
Moreover, he converts his good starts more often than not and recently became the quickest man to 27 ODI hundreds. Though he drew a lot of flak for the speed of his record-breaking ton, the slackness was just an aberration and certainly not the norm.
Ever since making his bow on the international stage, Amla has impressed regardless of the format he has been picked in.
Yet, he fails to an extent to provide the ‘X Factor’ that teams crave at the top of the order and thus, he can only muster the No.5 spot on our list.