Five Middle Order Batters Who Became Test Openers

Moving from the cozy middle order to the daunting realm of a Test opener is like trading your afternoon tea for a date with a fast bowler. It’s a rare feat, a bit like finding a left-handed spinner who can actually turn the ball! But hold your helmets because there are five lads who’ve not just survived but thrived in this opener ordeal. It’s a bit like turning a yorker into a full toss – unconventional, unexpected, and utterly delightful.

Their stories are like epic sagas of resilience and adaptability, making them the Test cricket’s version of shape-shifting wizards. Forget what you thought about openers being specialists; these blokes have rewritten the script and thrown in a bit of humor – cricket’s very own stand-up routine. These five players haven’t just faced the challenges; they’ve hit them for six, proving that, in cricket and comedy, timing is everything.

1. Tilakaratne Dilshan: The Dynamic Sri Lankan

Tilakaratne Dilshan (Photo Source: Twitter)

Tilakaratne Dilshan, known for his aggressive middle-order play, made an unexpected shift to opening in the latter part of his career. Despite spending a decade at No. 5, 6, and 7, Dilshan embraced the role of an aggressor at the top, opening for 25 consecutive innings. His numbers as an opener were impressive, averaging over 42.50 in 53 innings with eight centuries, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.

2. Stephen Fleming: New Zealand’s Captain Marvel

Stephen Fleming (Photo Source: Twitter)

Stephen Fleming, one of cricket’s accomplished captains, began his Test career batting at various positions in the middle order. After a brief stint at one-drop, he returned to the middle before surprising everyone by opening in 2003. Although he found success mostly at No.3, Fleming’s experiment as an opener demonstrated his flexibility and ability to adapt to different roles in the team.

3. Greg Blewett: Australia’s Forgotten Opener

Greg Blewett (Photo Source: Twitter)

Greg Blewett played a crucial role in Australia’s dominance in the late 1990s, primarily as a lower-middle-order batsman. After a stint at No. 3, he found himself out of the team due to mixed results. Upon his return, Blewett transitioned to the opening but failed to replicate his middle-order success, highlighting the challenges associated with such positional changes.

4. Neil McKenzie: The Proteas’ Resilient Opener

Neil McKenzie (Photo Source: Twitter)

Neil McKenzie’s Test career underwent distinct phases, starting as an opener before moving to the middle order and then returning to open. His initial struggle as an opener led to a middle-order role, where he excelled with an impressive average of 42.66. A later revival saw him open again, contributing significantly to series wins in England and Australia, emphasizing the resilience needed to adapt to different roles.

5. Simon Katich: Australia’s Transformation Story

Simon Katich (Photo Source: Twitter)

Simon Katich’s transformation from a middle-order floater to a reliable opener is a testament to his adaptability. After an inconsistent middle-order stint, Katich returned as an opener in 2008, achieving remarkable success in the role. His final three years at the top saw an average of 50.48 with eight centuries, solidifying his place as one of Australia’s accomplished Test openers.

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