41.   He lost partner Roshan Mahanama after a half-hour, the opening batsman providing a catch for wicket-keeper Courtney Browne off Courtney Walsh.

42.   India lost its test series in England, where Navjyot Singh Sidhu, an opening batsman, returned home halfway through the tour because of differences with Azharuddin.

43.   It will be a testing time for opening batsman Matthew Elliott and fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

44.   Jamaican opening batsman Robert Samuels and Barbadian fast bowler Patterson Thompson are the only West Indies newcomers in the first cricket Test against New Zealand starting here Friday.

45.   Laxman, being used as an opening batsman for the first time, was run out two runs short of three figures.

46.   Left-handed dashing opening batsman Aamer Sohail was recalled for national duties Tuesday when he was selected on the Pakistan team for the third and decisive Test against South Africa.

47.   New Zealand opening batsman Nathan Astle scored an unbeaten century to give the team a limited overs series victory over Zimbabwe on Friday.

48.   New Zealand opening batsmen Bryan Young and Darrin Murray batted for one over before lunch.

49.   New Zealand lost both opening batsmen in the first session of the third cricket test with England on Friday at Lancaster Park.

50.   Ntini and opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs are the two representatives from the disadvantaged communities in a white-dominated South Africa cricket team.