Top 10 English ODI openers of all time

The origin of cricket is still a mystery but there are historical references to prove that the sport was being played in south-east England in the middle of the 16th century.

In the 19th century, the British Empire was instrumental in spreading the game overseas to Australia, the Caribbean, India, New Zealand and North America.

Then, in the 20th century, to make the sport more result oriented, English Counties introduced the concept of limited-overs cricket in 1963, however, the first ODI was played between England and Australia on 5 January 1971 at Melbourne.

Despite playing the sports at the international level for the longest time, the number four team on ICC ODI Rankings, are yet to win an ODI World Cup and a Champions Trophy.

Now, let's have a look at the 10 best openers produced by England in the 46-year-long history of ODI cricket.

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#10 Mike Atherton

The former England captain Mike Atherton was popular for his resistant and defensive batting style against the most hostile fast bowling attacks during the 1990s.

Between 1990 and 1998, Atherton opened the innings in 43 ODIs for England and scored 1,572 runs at an average of 38.34. He scored two tons and 11 fifties in a career that spanned over eight years.

The right-handed opening batsman, who was nicknamed 'cockroach' by Steve Waugh, brought up his highest ODI score of 127 in a 1995 fifty-over game against the West Indies at Lord's.

#9 Jason Roy

The South African-born England batsman Jason Roy made his ODI debut in 2015 against Ireland and since then, he has scored 1,642 at an average of 36.48 in 47 matches.

In a 2016 ODI against Sri Lanka, Roy (112) and Alex Hales (133) stitched together a 256-run opening partnership to win the match by 10 wickets. It was the highest successful run chase without losing a wicket in ODIs and it was also the highest partnership for England for any wicket in the fifty-over format.

Five days later in London, the 27-year-old amassed 162 against the same opposition and fell just five runs short of Robin Smith's 167, the then highest score by an England batsman in ODIs.

#8 Alex Hales

The 6 feet 5 inches tall grandson of tennis player Dennis Hales, Alex Hales, emerged as an aggressive opening batsman when he made his ODI debut in 2014 against India.

Ben Stokes' alleged partner in Bristol brawl, Hales opened the innings in 48 ODIs and scored 1,796 runs at an average of 39.04.

The man who scored five tons and 10 fifties tormented Pakistan to score his highest ODI score of 171 in a 2016 white-ball game.

Hales struck 22 fours and four sixes in a 122-ball blitz at Trent Bridge, beating Robin Smith's 23-year-old record of highest score by an England batsman in ODIs.

#7 Alec Stewart

Alec Stewart, the former England captain, opened the innings for his country in 89 ODIs between 1992 and 2001, scoring 2,888 runs at an average of 33.58.

The Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1993, scored four hundred-plus scores and 17 fifties as an opener.

Stewart, who was relieved of his captaincy duties after England's dismal show at the 1999 World Cup, was a dangerous commodity at the top of the order. His highest ODI score of 116 came in a 1997 fifty-over game against India at Sharjah.

#6 Ian Bell

One of England's most prolific batsmen in the recent times, Ian Bell made his ODI debut in 2004 against Zimbabwe and played 77 matches as an opener before hanging his boots in 2015.

England's leading ODI run-scorer accumulated 2,932 out of his 5,416 runs while batting at the top of the order.

Bell's highest ODI score of 141 was registered against Australia at Hobart in January 2015.

#5 Andrew Strauss

The stylish left-handed opening batsman, Andrew Strauss, who was born in South Africa, loved scoring off the back foot and mostly played cut and pull shots.

Between 2003 and 2011, the former England captain scored 3,053 runs at an average of 38.16 in 83 ODIs as an opener.

Out of his six ODI tons, five came while opening the batting with his highest score being 158 that was registered against India in a 2011 fifty-over game at Bangalore.

#4 Alastair Cook

The only Englishman and second worldwide to score 1,000 runs in his maiden year, Alastair Cook made his ODI debut in 2006 against Sri Lanka.

Between 2006 and 2014, the former England captain scored 3,204 runs in 92 ODIs at an average of 36.40 at the top of the batting order.

The 32-year-old, who holds the record of leading England in 69 ODIs, brought up his highest score of 137 in a 2012 fifty-over game against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

#3 Nick Knight

England's Nick Knight was an industrious batsman who was more successful in the limited overs format of the game as compared to Test cricket.

Between 1996 and 2003, Knight opened the innings in 92 ODIs for England, scoring 3,345 runs at an average of 40.30.

Knight, who was the first Englishman to carry his bat in an ODI innings, set the world record during his innings of 125*, his highest fifty-over score, against Pakistan in 1996.

#2 Graham Gooch

Graham Gooch, one of the most successful batsmen of his generation, opened the innings in 100 ODIs for England and scored 3,828 runs at an average of 40.29.

The former England captain and coach hit eight centuries and 21 half-centuries while batting at the top of the order.

The legend, who was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009, got his highest ODI score of 142 in a 1987 limited-overs game against Pakistan in Karachi.

#1 Marcus Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick, the left-handed flamboyant star, who would drive and cut fiercely, opened in 123 ODIs for England between 2000 and 2006.

Known for his aggressive strokeplay, Trescothick is the most successful England opener as he scored 4,335 at an average of 37.37.

During an international career that ended prematurely because of depression, Trescothick hit 12 tons and 21 fifties. His highest ODI score of 137 came in a 2001 fifty-over game against Pakistan at Lord's.