Who were the openers who have made an impact on the CB tri-series in Australia so far? (as of first 10 games).
Australia (6 matches till rubber is live)
Adam Gilchrist: 0, 61, 0, 118, 15, 6 (16 in dead rubber)
Hayden: DNP, 42, 25, 4, 13, 23 (54 in dead rubber)
India (7 matches, not qualified yet)
Tendulkar: 10, 35, 44, 32, 5, 0, 2
Sehwag 6, 33, 11, 14, DNP, DNP, 17
Gambhir opened twice: 34, 15
Sri Lanka (6 matches, yet to qualify)
Jayasuria DNB, 7, 27, 12, 0, 0
Tharanga DNB, 10, DNP
Dilshan DNP, DNP, 62, 11, 4
Perera DNP, DNP, DNP, DNP, DNP, 1
Adam Gilchrist as you can see has gone past 30 twice and converted it to impact the match
Tendulkar has gone past 30 thrice; but had effect on the match twice (44 the Indian top score in Melbourne, and 32 of 30 in a rain affected match against Sri lanka).
Hayden has one score over 30, (another brilliant 54 was in his practice match v India- hence no impact on series).
Jayasuria although not yet into the 30s, he had an impact in the reduced 21 over chase, scoring 27 of 13
So the top openers who made any impact in this series are Gilchrist and Tendulkar.
The moral of the story is that in low scoring series 30s is a good benchmark, as most ODI batsmen avg in the 30s in their career. So making a 30s is tricky indeed. Opening is not the same as batting one-down (as Dravid will be able to explain to you), as even if one wicket falls early- because now you know which part of the scoreboard to follow- to push runs or block wickets, wait for bad balls etc. As an opener, you are trting to figure out which aspect to address (strike-rate/hold wickets, especially in ODIs), without knowing how the bowling/pitch unfolds.
As you can see all the junior or upcoming openers have not been able to do well at all. The highest junior score as an opener is 34 (by Gambhir, who arguably is in the form of his life). Australia recognize the conditions and do not change their order as they know even a 20odd is not that bad in these conditions. Sure we would like to see more runs from all the top batters, but it is tough for them as they have to try to give a strike rate advantage as well, and can get out. The one down batter can say- since an early wicket is fallen, I will put the strike rate aside for a 8-10 balls (Sangakara did in his century against India, for dozen odd overs).
The analysts have forgotten that runs, wickets or strike rates in cricket are not absolute measures but relative to pitch conditions. Obviously, they are aware of it, but do not keep it in mind during calculations- but rather go by landmarks- 50s 100s etc. Who is playing for the records?!?!
Just as Elephants and other species are measured by their own average sizes based on region etc., so must scores according to weather & pitches. (In many sports such as snooker, billiards or say Olympic swimming etc, you can expect to have absolute measures, since the playing conditions are controlled and consistent).
Do not worry about Tendulkar folks. He has by far been the best top order ODI batter this year- since SAfrica in Ireland, England, Aus in India, Pak in India, and now partially in Australia ODIs.
Saumil
Mumbai
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