I think Viv Richards was the biggest "batting star" when I started watching test cricket on tv. He was very capable of big hitting and still had a test average of over 50.

On the Australian bit, my perhaps faulty memory suggests that the Matthew Hayden/ Justin Langer opening combination could set the scoreboard moving at a good pace?

Staying with Australia, Adam Gilchrist comes to my mind as being a pretty effective quick scorer as well as being regarded as a very decent wicketkeeper.