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General Cricket => World Cricket => England => Topic started by: WalkingWicket37 on January 30, 2019, 01:44:34 PM

Title: England Test Openers
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on January 30, 2019, 01:44:34 PM
Cricket365 have cracked the code!
As we all know, you can't argue with stats!

Quote
REVEALED: Why Jennings is doomed, but Burns has a chance

Cricket365 can exclusively reveal that Keaton Jennings’ England career was doomed before it had begun.

Not because of that painfully braced front leg, or his point-blank refusal to move his head or feet in the direction of any ball delivered at north of 80mph no matter how full and inevitably nicking off.

We’ve crunched the numbers and the fact is that England’s openers of the last 20-odd years can be split into two groups. One of those groups, collectively, average a very-handy-in-English-conditions 41.54 and have scored mountains of runs. The other group averages 24.65 and between the lot of them have scored fewer Test runs than Mitchell Johnson. Jennings, of course, is in group two and very much on borrowed time, having already somehow managed to cling on longer than any other member of that sorry subset.

The real reason he’s knacked is simple: he’s using the wrong bat. Specifically, he’s not using a Gray-Nicolls or Gunn & Moore bat. The statistical evidence is overwhelming: these are the only acceptable bats for an England opening batsman to use.

Since the start of the summer in 2000 – a point which I think we can all readily agree constitutes roughly the time when cricket began – English openers have scored 85 Test hundreds. On 83 occasions, the bat raised in celebration was emblazoned with either Gray-Nicolls or Gunn & Moore. Fact.

Jennings, to be fair, does account for the other two with his shameful Kookaburra and, insane as it may sound, only five England openers have scored more runs than he’s eked out since our arbitrary yet correct cut-off point. But still. He’s battling here against not only bowlers who know exactly how to get him out, but also the overwhelming weight of history.

It can be no surprise that Rory Burns made a fluent 84 with his Gunn & Moore last week before he and the rest of the lads decided Roston Chase was the world’s greatest bowler.

There are no guarantees for Burns. For every Cook there is a Duckett, for every Trescothick a Lyth. But at least he’s got a chance. Just look at the numbers.

England openers since May 2000 by bat manufacturer:

Gray-Nicolls and Gunn & Moore: 31449 runs @ 41.54, 83 hundreds

All other manufacturers: 1986 runs @ 24.65, 2 hundreds

Compelling. You can’t argue with that. From Carberry’s Kookaburra to Trott’s New Balance, Stoneman’s Kippax to Ramprakash’s Slazenger and even Jack Leach’s beautiful retro Milichamp & Hall, many have tried to overcome the curse of Opening The Batting For England But Not Using A Gray-Nicolls Or Gunn & Moore Bat. None has succeeded, and neither shall Jennings.

https://www.cricket365.com/countries/england/revealed-why-jennings-doomed-burns-has-chance/ (https://www.cricket365.com/countries/england/revealed-why-jennings-doomed-burns-has-chance/)
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Kulli on January 30, 2019, 01:48:36 PM
Haha, isn't Joe Denly a Kookaburra man now?  :(
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Alvaro on January 30, 2019, 01:56:57 PM
SF
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: alexevo94 on January 30, 2019, 01:57:14 PM
Haha, isn't Joe Denly a Kookaburra man now?  :(

Last time I seen him he was using SF
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Chalkie on January 30, 2019, 01:57:35 PM
Saw that earlier today and very interesting. So theoretical all the selectors need in future when picking openers is a list of players aponsored by GN and GM

I have asked if they could do a similar analysis for other test nations to see what works for them.

Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: alexhilly1492 on January 30, 2019, 02:30:57 PM
Alex Davies,

we love a keeper in the england team ;)

sponsored by GM

GET HIM IN

other openers sponsored by GM or GN:

Sam Robson
Nick Browne
Ben Slater
Haseeb Hameed
Chris Nash
ALex hales


thats just off the top of my head im sure theres more!
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: alexhilly1492 on January 30, 2019, 02:31:36 PM
Saw that earlier today and very interesting. So theoretical all the selectors need in future when picking openers is a list of players aponsored by GN and GM

I have asked if they could do a similar analysis for other test nations to see what works for them.

Australia might be very GN heavy
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: 19reading87 on January 30, 2019, 03:04:16 PM
Alex Davies,

we love a keeper in the england team ;)

sponsored by GM

GET HIM IN

other openers sponsored by GM or GN:

Sam Robson
Nick Browne
Ben Slater
Haseeb Hameed
Chris Nash
ALex hales


thats just off the top of my head im sure theres more!

There’s an absolute stack but this is more for a whatsapp convo between you and I 😂
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: alexhilly1492 on January 30, 2019, 06:37:27 PM
There’s an absolute stack but this is more for a whatsapp convo between you and I 😂

You’re on!
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Tailendfielder on January 30, 2019, 07:58:47 PM
Great article and find.

Can someone remind me whats wrong with Sam Robson? I remember them begging him to be English and replacing Carberry and he didnt do well enough to stay but i don't remember him being that bad.

Sometimes i wondered if that was why they picked Carberry knowing sam was coming.

Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: SD on January 30, 2019, 08:46:25 PM
Robson came at a time when expectations were somewhat higher than they are now.  He had a problem outside off stump but averaged 30 which is better than much that has followed.  He at his turn when we were looking for a replacement for Strauss whereas now we are simply looking for someone who looks like a cricketer and can get through a test match without embarrassing themselves
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 30, 2019, 09:52:29 PM
Robson's form in county cricket has been very patchy.

Add Dom Sibley to the GN list.
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 30, 2019, 09:58:38 PM
Marcus Trescothick was always entirely happy with his  Gunn and Moores, I've been told. I'm pretty sure other forum regulars would have been told this too.  ;)
.
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Tailendfielder on January 30, 2019, 10:10:05 PM
Marcus Trescothick was always entirely happy with his  Gunn and Moores, I've been told. I'm pretty sure other forum regulars would have bee too.  ;)
.

Mine are great mate, really pleased with what I picked up from the factory.
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 31, 2019, 03:24:02 AM
Mine are great mate, really pleased with what I picked up from the factory.


I am sure they are. The anecdote was about a successful former England Test opener.
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: six and out on January 31, 2019, 06:44:40 AM
Surely that is the ultimate test of this isn't it? Trescothick scores loads opening with his trusty GM. But is now sponsored by GN, so I say stick him in and test the theory!
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 31, 2019, 08:44:12 AM
Trusty GM/ trusty 'GM'.
Title: Re: England Test Openers
Post by: mohawks94 on January 31, 2019, 10:18:56 AM
Robson came at a time when expectations were somewhat higher than they are now.  He had a problem outside off stump but averaged 30 which is better than much that has followed.  He at his turn when we were looking for a replacement for Strauss whereas now we are simply looking for someone who looks like a cricketer and can get through a test match without embarrassing themselves

That series against India, Robson got a couple of shocking lbw decisions that would have easily been overturned if India had accepted ball tracking in DRS, though snicko/hot-spot would have saved him the one he smashed into his pad at Trent Bridge.