The start of the start of the season of Zak Crawley – first stroke scores of 1, 0 and 1 – has revived a debate on the question of whether Kent drummer deserves a place in the test team in England.
Despite these domestic difficulties, and the fact that he has the worst average of any player who strikes as many times in the first three (30.56 in 94 innings) in the history of cricket, the change remains very improbable while England retains its faith in its ability to counterattack the best teams like India and Australia, adversaries in major series later this year.
However, if there was a dramatic change of heart or injuries had to strike – as it did last summer when a broken finger excluded from three tests against Sri Lanka – where selectors could turn?
Mail Sport assesses the chances of half a dozen contenders:
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
If everyone is available, England has a selection headache after the emergence of the high versatile of the barbados.
The 21-year-old has reached all international challenges so far, spending 50 times in 23 rounds and showing a great temperament to No. 3 during last winter victory in New Zealand when Jamie Smith was on paternity leave.
Jacob Bethell has a great temperament but lack of high level experience as the first opens
The start of the start of the season of Zak Crawley has been worrying, but England is likely to keep the faith
Although he has not yet made a senior cricket player, Bethell was opened throughout his days of school cricket and his inclusion would offer an additional bowling option in the first six – Reicestershire Ahmed offering a funky alternative in this type of role.
Ben McKinney (Durham)
In terms of physics and style, the 20 -year -old is the most similar to type. A little bigger than Crawley at 6 feet 7 inch and left -handed as opposed to the right, the 20 -year -old would nevertheless provide the height contrast to Ben Duckett who challenges opposition attacks to constantly modify the lines and lengths during the bowling alley at the current combination of the first window.
The Australian pairing of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer prospered by posing a similar challenge.
The hierarchy of England witnessed McKinney’s rapid capacity when the second of the three hundred first classes to date – a Run -A -Ball 110 – has recovered pride for the Lions of England against Australia in Sydney two months ago.
Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire)
The county captain clearly leaves the best of Hameed. His contributions at the start of the season with the bat helped Nottinghamshire at the top of the first division.
Already two spells as a test cricket player, and although 28 years old, he improved the disciplined approach which earned the nickname of the boycott baby in order to win a third, it would be an exaggerated to say that it is a material of first -rate Bazball.
What is in his favor is a wide range of experiences – to prosper under a huge meticulous examination in adolescence in India and to be overwhelmed by the weight of expectations in its origin of Lancashire.
Six scores of successive simple figures in Australia in 2021-222 count against him.
Haseeb Hameed plays well for Nottinghamshire but it may not be bazball equipment
Ben McKinney would be the replacement most as for the type if Crawley was abandoned
Tom Haines (Sussex)
The most prolific player in the county championship of this season with 449 points, including Big Hunters against Somerset and Surrey.
Haines, 26, is said to be ahead of another left -hander at Ben Compton, 31 years old – grandson of the Grand Denis, cousin of Nick, teammate from Crawley in Kent – on age alone.
Since the start of the summer of 2021, hatred has an average of 45.47 in first class matches here and has also struck a century for the Lions of England in Sri Lanka two years ago. Likely to have another chance of showing his references in one of the two Lions games against the second channel of India next month.
Tom hatred marks many races and is likely to have a chance for the Lions of England
DOM SIBLEY (Surrey)
An old school opener who is thriving on the occupation of the folds – as highlights on average 40 reflecting his strike rate during a career of 12 years of first class. Although his method is not different from England Great Alastair Cook, a lack of cuts such as the cook clip off the hip or square cut of the counter has hampered its fate in the test side of Joe Root between 2019-21.
Despite its excellent current touch – hundreds of twins removed the Hampshire between two 1950s – it would take an unexpected change in tactical steering so that Sibley is recalled. When Crawley was sidelined last summer, the selectors made a missed bet on the 29 -year -old Surrey colleague Dan Lawrence.
Dom Sibley had his chances for England at the highest level and prosperous of the occupation of the folds
Alex Lees (Durham)
Unlike Sibley, Lees has invested time in modifying his method since the ax fell on his ephemeral mandate from the first counter three years ago.
After having cringe scores in its first series in the Antilles, Yorkshireman had been a flying convert to the more aggressive approach instilled by coach Brendon McCullum, but, despite series victories over New Zealand and South Africa in the summer of 2022, personal success was not published.
Since the start of the 2023 season, however, its 2544 points in the championship have reached a rhythm of strike of 65 – a significant leap on its first class career brand of 50.
