Top 5 averages among current openers in ODIs

#1 Jonathon Bairstow, 65.76

2018 Royal London International One Day Cricket England v Australia Jun 19th

Just when it seemed like Jason Roy and Alex Hales made the most destructive opening pair in world cricket, Bairstow, as though a little aggravated, put up his hand and boy, in what fashion! Only 20 innings as an opener, he now poses a serious threat to either of Roy or Hales for their spot in the side.

Naturally an attacking cricketer, Bairstow looks extremely comfortable as an opener after some years of struggling in the middle order. He recently became the first English cricketer to score three consecutive ODI centuries, and all of them scored at a rapid pace. Always the elegant Yorkshireman, he poses a contrast to his counterparts in the English squad and relies on timing and fluency to get going off the blocks.

His incredible average is owed to the six centuries he has scored in just twenty opportunities he has gotten as an opener, and without a doubt has been off to the best starting phase in the history of cricket playing as an opener. His real test will be facing the pressure that will accompany the expectations in the 2019 World Cup to be played at home.

Till then, Jonny can toy with the bowlers just because he can.

Stats as an opener:

Innings: 20, Runs: 1118, 100s: 6, SR: 114.19