There has been a notable decline in contributions by opening pairs in test cricket over the last decade. Australia
Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer opened the batting for Australia together in 113 innings. In that period, they averaged 52. However, in the last decade, Australia's opening average has dipped from 52 to 45. When it comes to the period between 2015 and 2019, Australia have averaged 47 at the top.
Bangladesh
The pair of Imrul Kaes and Tamim Iqbal averaged 46 in test cricket in the 53 innings during which they opened the batting together for Bangladesh. Between 2010 and 2019, Bangladesh's opening average stands at 43.
England
Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss opened together in 117 innings for England. During this period, they averaged 41 at the top of the order. England's average has dipped to 34 in the last decade. Between 2015 and 2019, England openers have averaged only 29.
India
Since Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag hung their boots, India have seen several opening combinations in test cricket. Gambhir and Sehwag opened together in 87 innings and averaged 53. Since their retirement, India's opening average has dropped to 40 in the last decade. In the last five years, it has come down to 36.
New Zealand
Bruce Edward and John Wright opened the batting for New Zealand in 56 innings and averaged 32. New Zealand's opening average stands at 35 in the last decade. Over the last five years, the average of their opening pair has been 38.
Pakistan
The opening pair of Mohsin Khan and Mudassar Nazar averaged 44 in 54 test innings in the last decade. Pakistan's opening average has come down to 35 with several openers coming in going and out of their playing XI.
South Africa
Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith opened the batting in 56 innings for South Africa and averaged 56. However, in the last decade, South Africa's opening average has come down to 38. In the last five years, their openers average only 34.
Dean Elgar has been their only permanent opening batsman. Aiden Markram has been tried to be slotted alongside him but he has not responded as well as the Proteas would have liked him to.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan opening pair of Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya was not only prolific in ODI cricket but opened the batting together in 118 innings in test matches as well and averaged a pretty 40. In the last decade, the batting average of Sri Lanka's opening pair has dipped to 35.
