Opening partnerships are critical in Test cricket as they set the tone for the innings and lay the foundation for the middle order to build upon. Several legendary opening pairs have graced the game, and here are the top three based on their statistics and impact on the game.
1. Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe (England)
Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe are widely considered the best opening pair in Test cricket. They played together for England between 1919 and 1930, and their partnership yielded 3249 runs at an average of 87.81 in just 38 innings. What’s even more impressive is that they had 25 fifty-plus partnerships, showing their consistency and reliability.
They also had a remarkable away average of 80.13, which is rare for an opening pair. Hobbs was the more attacking of the two, while Sutcliffe was more defensive, which complemented each other’s styles perfectly. Their partnership was integral to England’s success during their era, and their legacy lives on today.
2. Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson (Australia)
Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson formed a formidable opening pair for Australia between 1964 and 1971. They scored 3596 runs in 62 innings at an average of 60.94, with 27 fifty-plus partnerships. Their highest partnership of 382 remains the highest for any opening pair with more than 2000 Test partnership runs.
What sets them apart is their ability to perform well away from home, with an away average of 62.25, which is slightly higher than their home average. They had century partnerships in Australia, England, West Indies, India, and South Africa, proving their versatility and adaptability to different conditions. Lawry was known for his grit and determination, while Simpson was more aggressive, making them an effective opening combination.
3. Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer (Australia)
Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer were the opening pair for Australia between 2001 and 2007. They had different styles of batting, with Hayden being the aggressor and Langer playing a more patient role. They scored 5655 runs in 113 innings at an average of 51.88, with 38 fifty-plus partnerships. They started their partnership with three centuries in their first four innings, setting the tone for a successful partnership.
They had six double-century partnerships, with their highest being 255 against South Africa. While their partnership ended on a slightly sour note, with 12 Tests without a century partnership, they had an impressive away average of 48.3, which is commendable in modern-day cricket. They were instrumental in Australia’s dominance during their era and remain one of the most successful opening pairs in Test cricket history.