From Bob Simpson-Bill Lawry to Justin Langer-Matthew Hayden :Here's Top 5 Australian Test Opening Pairs Of All Time
Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden [Source: Twitter]
Australian cricket has a vast history of batters, who have dominated Tests like no other. In Test or One-Day International (ODI), it is highly important to get solid starts, and the position of the openers becomes extremely critical. While Australia boasts of some of the best middle-order batters in history, they also had openers, that challenged the norms of Test cricket.
Australia over several decades has produced unbeatable Test sides, which consisted of some of the best cricketers in that era/generation, that went on to redefine the sport.
In this list let's dwell on the top five opening pairs in Australia's rich-history of Test cricket.
1. Justin Langer - Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden [Source: Twitter]
Part of Australia's invincibles in the 2000s, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden rewrote history books together. While Langer played textbook cricket and displayed patience, Hayden's explosiveness and sheer brute took opponents into submission.
The duo opened for Australia in 113 Tests between 200 and 07, amassing 5655 runs (most as Test openers), with as many as 14-century first-wicket stands.
2. Mark Taylor and Michael Slater
Mark Taylor and Michael Slater [Source: Twitter]
As predecessors to Langer and Hayden, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater left their own mark on Australia's Test DNA. Taylor exhibited great caution and composure in the middle, while Slater took the more aggressive route to score runs.
With the added responsibility of leading the side, Taylor's batting did not dip, rather it remained consistent before the new era took over. The pair opened for Australia in 74 Tests and accumulated 3,887 runs which include a 260-run stand at Lord's in 1993 for the first wicket and 10 hundred-run partnerships.
3. Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson
Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson [Source: Twitter]
One of the greatest opening pairs in cricket history, Australia's Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson together scored 3,596 runs in just 34 Tests, with nine 100-run stands. The duo added 382 runs for the first wicket against West Indies in 1965 at Bridgetown Test, which to date is their highest-first-wicket stand in Australian cricket.
4. Chris Rogers and David Warner
Chris Rogers and David Warner [Source: Twitter]
While Chris Rogers and David Warner could not stand each other outside cricket, both formed quite a pair in the middle. Warner with his explosive approach and Rogers with his more conservative outlook to opening formed an unlikely alliance for Australia between 2013 and 2015.
The pair scored 2,053 runs in 22 Tests, with nine hundred and seven fifty-run partnerships.
5. Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh
Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh [Source: Twitter]
In his second appearance on the list, Mark Taylor makes his presence felt with the late great Geoff Marsh. Both Taylor and Marsh were part of some of the golden partnerships in Ashes history, including a 329-run stand in the 1989 series at Trent Bridge Test.
Both batter with grit and determination, enabling a strong-middle order, solid foundation to run amok, when their time arose. The duo opened in 25 Tests and stockpiled 1,980 runs with four 100-run stands.
 "Vishal Mehra")
