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Quagmire

Rach like usual, to say that these cricketers are over rated is a little unfair. Looking at the three test opening batsman that you have picked, it is even unfair to say that two of them are not genuine superstars of the modern game. Jaques has played only a handful of International cricket.

Stats do not lie (unless they played 3 matches against England and 58 against Bangladesh)

Hayden
Test - 167 inn, 13 No, 8242 runs at 53.52, Sr 60.13, Hs 380, 30x100, 27x50, 2x200, 1x300, 11 ducks, 121 cat
ODI - 155 inn, 15 No, 6133 runs at 43.81, Sr 78.96, Hs 181*, 10x100, 36x50, 2x150, 9 ducks, 68 cat

If I ware an opening batsman and I actually am, if I were to be a professional opening batsman I wouldn’t mind having a test and ODI records. What standard Hayden has set for the rest of the opening batsman out there in the world? He has done it as a destructive opening batsman in both forms of the game. Just remembering the game is a lot different for an opening batsman than a guy like Michael Clarke coming in at four or five, and only cricketers truly understand that.

Sehwag
Test - 94 inn, 3 No, 4783 runs at 52.56, Sr 76.30, Hs 319, 14x100, 13x50, 4x200, 2x300, 9 ducks, 45 cat
ODI - 178 inn, 7 No, 5312 runs at 31.06, Sr 96.53, Hs 130, 8x100, 25x50, 11 ducks, 72 cat

Sehwag has a fantastic record, his strike rate in both forms of the game if far more superior than other opening batsman. I have never been a fan of him but he is just as important to have in form as Tendulaker for India. With the ability to win matches off his own bat is something special to have in your side.

Jaques
Test - 13 inn, 0 No, 657 runs at 50.54, Sr 55.07, Hs 150, 2x100, 5x50, 1 duck, 3 cat.
ODI - 6 inn, 0 No, 125 runs at 20.83, Sr 71.02, Hs 94, 1x50, 1 duck, 3 cat

The guy has been stuck behind Langer and Hayden is whole career, just waiting for them to retire to get a shot at opening the batting at the Sydney cricket ground or the crowd at the Boxing Day test at a pull packed sold out MCG. He has hit the ground running due to the standard of Australian domestic cricket. Batting average over 50 in test cricket is a good start to a career, plus just looks at his first class apprenticeship.

First Class - 122 mat, 11,300 runs at 54.90, Hs 244, 34x100, 53x50, 9 No
List A - 122 mat, 4738 runs at 42.68, Hs 158*, 12x100, 26x50, 8 No

Is it t too early into the career to judge an opening batsman as a great TEST cricketer or a hopeless failed batsman? He does not look like he is a Damien Martyn or Mark Waugh because he is not as naturally talented and fluent, but what he does have is smarts, he is powerful and tough. He has a Langer toughness and Hayden mean streak, he will be a solid Australian cricketer until he retires because he is hitting his prime now at 28 years old and he has a lot of experience for a guy just coming into the test side.