• The forums will be unavailable for a few hours on Saturday 6th June, when they do return they will initially be in a degraded state with some features missing, but normal posting/reading will be possible. The main website will not be affected by these updates.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.
    Some other features of the forum are also currently disabled.

What makes an opener?

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jon Snow

Guest
Hear it all the time that (insert good batsman) isn't an opener.

But what makes a good opener? Like what do they need to do differently to batting at 3/4/5?
 

good judgment, knowing when to leave. also should have a good defence. basically there to stay in and see out the new un.....

the exception to this is sehwag who looks to smack just about every ball!
 
As already said. An openers job is to see off the new ball and the opening bowlers. Also to bud a platform for the rest of the batters.
 
This all depends on what level your talking about mate,

At county/test match level then the ability to watch the ball, and decide what's going on quickly is very important,

At local level not so much, it's still important to leve the ball, but you have to have a few shots aswell, as to not get bogged down, especially in a 45 over game,
 
I always think any of your top 5 could open really. Especially a number 3, after all he could be in for the 2nd ball of the game.......
 
Was the same bowler who got John I think. Hour of nets and not one goes past the bat, third ball and out ffs :lol:
 
brandon said:
I always think any of your top 5 could open really. Especially a number 3, after all he could be in for the 2nd ball of the game.......
Click to expand...

I think any top 5 batsman could do a job opening but ultimately opening is the most specialist.

I think the likes of Bell, Pietersen, Prior would struggle a lot more opening than batting in the middle order and likewise Cook in the middle order
 
Aberdeen Angus said:
I think any top 5 batsman could do a job opening but ultimately opening is the most specialist.

I think the likes of Bell, Pietersen, Prior would struggle a lot more opening than batting in the middle order and likewise Cook in the middle order
Click to expand...

Aye, but why would they struggle? Simply taking on balls they don't need to?
 
Jon Snow said:
Aye, but why would they struggle? Simply taking on balls they don't need to?
Click to expand...

New ball, no sighter on the conditions, fresher bowlers, less discipline outside of off stump, all eyes on the openers (pressure). A few things that contribute I think
 
It's all mental ain't it ... A opening batsmen has to have a different mindset to a middle order batsmen.

Needs to be confident to leave the ball so a good understanding of where his off stump is
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top