Top 5 opening batsmen with most runs in Tests

Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag used different routes to conquer bowling attacks

Unarguably, opening the batting in Test cricket has been acknowledged as the toughest job in the game. Unlike those below them, the openers do not have the luxury of making merry against a much older ball and a relatively tired bowling attack. It is not an uncommon sight nowadays with even spinners taking the new ball on rapidly deteriorating pitches in the subcontinent which brings another dimension to the challenges faced at the top of the order.

One such stoic opener, who also happens to lead England, entered unchartered territory during the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur. Alastair Cook became the first batsman in the sport’s history to complete 10,000 runs while opening the innings. Aside from the resolute left-hander, there have also been quite a few other batsmen who helped shape innumerable games from the top with their consistency and appetite for run-making.

Let us take a look at the top five batsmen who have scored the most runs as openers in Tests.

#5 Virender Sehwag

A slayer of bowling attacks himself, Matthew Hayden once said of Virender Sehwag – “Tests are all about strategy. Virender destroys all strategies. He brings the excitement and drama from the first ball. If Test cricket is still alive, it is because of players like him. It’s good for the game.” The sheer exhilaration that the ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ can only be felt while watching him bat in Tests.

Also Read: 5 reasons why we miss Virender Sehwag

I would like to have batted with someone who has a different batting style to me, like Sehwag - very strong offside, and can pull as well with a strong upper cut. We would have been a difficult opening combination to tackle.

Read more at: http://www.sify.com/sports/birthday-special-38-best-quotes-on-sehwag-imagegallery-5-cricket-oksxKljjigeia.html

Not one to care about conventions or personal milestones, Sehwag batted without any inhibition and often tore bowling attacks apart within the first session itself. Among the best ever players of spin in his era, his double century at Galle against the rampaging duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis was a perfect illustration of the damage that he could do.

Overall Career: 8586 runs from 180 innings at an average of 49.34 and strike-rate of 82.23 with 23 centuries and 32 fifties

Runs as an opener: 8207 runs from 170 innings at an average of 50.04 with 22 centuries and 30 fifties