England should not feel compelled to select a specialist opener if doing so prevents the team from fielding its strongest batting line-up, according to interim Test coach Marcus Trescothick.
Trescothick’s comments come as England prepare to decide how to reshape their top order when all-rounder Jacob Bethell returns from a knee injury for the Test tour of South Africa in December.
Emilio Gay, who made his Test debut this summer, has opened alongside Ben Duckett and produced three half-centuries. However, he finished the season with a batting average below 25.
Duckett, meanwhile, remains one of England’s senior batters and scored the team’s only century of the summer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June. His recent form has been less convincing, with the 31-year-old failing to reach 20 in the three-Test series against Pakistan and averaging below 24 since the start of the Ashes.
At No. 3, Jordan Cox has strengthened his case for a permanent place after taking his Test opportunity this summer. He averaged more than 42 and has previous experience opening in first-class cricket.
Bethell’s return is expected to complicate England’s selection further, with the left-hander having already moved up the order to open in the one-day side.
Dan Lawrence could retain his place because of the off-spin he provides, although Bethell would also give England a left-arm spin option.
Best seven ahead of specialist roles
Trescothick, who oversaw England’s 3-0 Test series victory over Pakistan before handing the coaching reins to Stephen Fleming, said selection should be based primarily on putting the best possible top seven on the field.
“You generally want your best top seven, however that looks,” he said. “Who that’s going to be, I don’t know. That’s for someone else to work out.”
The former England opener, who played 76 Tests and was part of the side that won the 2005 Ashes, said modern cricket had made players more adaptable across formats.
“I reckon times have changed a little bit,” the 50-year-old said.
“I think you look at your best batting line-up, however that fits up. If that’s with a specialist opener, great. If not, I think you can plan around it in this day and age. Players adapt pretty quickly because they’re chopping and changing formats.”
Fleming begins preparations
New Test coach Stephen Fleming, appointed in July, is expected to arrive in the UK shortly to begin preparations for England’s South Africa tour.
Fleming missed the Pakistan series but is expected to attend England’s white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and visit some county teams as he assesses the wider setup.
England are also considering changes to their coaching structure following the split between the Test and white-ball teams.
Trescothick said he remained uncertain about his own future role but confirmed that he would like to continue working across both formats.
“I love doing both formats. It’s brilliant and I’ve been privileged to be in the position of assistant coach,” he said.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has meanwhile returned to the national setup as a white-ball consultant, 12 years after his international career ended following the 2013-14 Ashes.
Trescothick said Pietersen had already begun sharing his batting expertise with the coaching staff and was enthusiastic about returning to the England environment.
“He is buzzing. Putting back on the shirt or the tracksuit, he is buzzing for that opportunity,” Trescothick said.
He added that Pietersen’s unconventional understanding of batting could prove valuable to the team.
