Batting Records

Top 10: Most Test 100s as Opener

Opening an innings in Test cricket is an art by itself and it is one of the most challenging positions for a batter in the format, especially on the pitches that offer assistance to the pacers. These batters have to endure the pace threat of the bowlers with the new ball and protect their wickets against the seam and swing that is on offer.

Hence getting to a Test century after such a hard grind would require a special effort and some batters scored plenty of those in their respective careers. Let us celebrate the batters who have been the top-century makers as openers in Tests.

Most Test Centuries as Openers

Player Innings 100s as Opener 50s High Score
Sunil Gavaskar (IND) 203 33 42 221
Alastair Cook (ENG) 278 31 55 294
Matthew Hayden (AUS) 184 30 29 380
Graeme Smith (SA) 196 27 36 277
David Warner (AUS) 202 26 37 335*
Geoffrey Boycott (ENG) 191 22 42 246*
Virender Sehwag (IND) 170 22 30 319
Andrew Strauss (ENG) 171 20 27 169
Gordon Greenidge (WI) 182 19 34 226
Len Hutton (ENG) 131 19 31 364

Key Stats

328 – This is the number of batters who have scored at least a Test century from the opening position. It is to be noted that a whopping 1010 players have played at least a Test match as an opener for their respective side.

Only 3 of those openers have scored 30 or more centuries in Test cricket and they are India’s Gavaskar, England’s Cook & Australia’s Hayden. Southpaws from South Africa & Australia, Graeme Smith and David Warner, make the top 5 respectively.

37 – The number of players who have scored 10 or more centuries as an opener in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma (9), Usman Khawaja (7), Aiden Markram (7), and KL Rahul (7) are a few active batters who are within touching distance of ing the elite list.