The Untouchables?

With Alistair Cook holding his position at the top of the England test order one question seems pertinent, have the England batsmen reached a stage where they cannot be dropped to matter how far their form falls? Kevin Pietersen has long been considered one of the 'untouchables' of English cricket, although in his case this position may be understandable, particularly considering his current position with Hampshire (although the test arena should never be one for players to find form in). Pietersen is also a proven match winner who has plucked magnificent innings from a poor run in form and has the ability to turn a game around. If Irishman Eion Morgan, however continues his progress this argument may be weakened.

Nevertheless it is not only Pietersen who has become cemented into the line up. Between the start of the calender year 2006 England have played the following 12 batsmen (their fates are shown in italics):

A. N. Cook (56 Test Appearances) Currently Playing

P. D. Collingwood (54) Currently Playing

K. P. Pietersen (54) Currently Playing

A. J. Strauss (52) Currently Playing

I. R. Bell (44) Injured (Expected to tour Australia 2010/11)

M. P. Vaughan (18) Retired

R. S. Bopara (10) Dropped

I. J. L. Trott (9) Currently Playing

M. E. Trecothick (7) Retired

O. A. Shah (5) Dropped

E. J. G. Morgan (4) Currently Playing

M. A. Carberry (1) Dropped

It is clear from this that of the limited number of batsmen England have employed in Test match cricket is dominated by those who have established themselves in the eleven. Only three (Shah, Carberry and Bopara) have been dropped. The latter being the only one to be given a spell to establish himself in the side, score runs, and be dropped through a lack of form. Indeed in the period in question the only established players, Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, to be omitted from the side have retired from international cricket. This is all well if the leading batsmen are scoring runs but, as we have seen with Cook the players are not always earning their place. Perhaps I am being unfair to the batsmen who may well be the most talented players available but it may be helpful to look at the bowlers used in the same period.

M. S. Panesar (39) Dropped

S. C. J. Broad (28) Currently Playing

J. M. Anderson (26) Currently Playing

S. J. Harmison (24) Dropped

R. J. Sidebottom (20) Dropped

G. P. Swann (20) Currently Playing

M. J. Hoggard (19) Dropped

S. I. Mahmood (8) Dropped

L. E. Plunkett (8) Dropped

G. Onions (7) Injured

S. T. Finn (6) Currently Playing

T. T. Bresnan (5) Dropped

C. T. Tremlett (3) Dropped

A. F. Giles (2) Retired

J. Lewis (1) Dropped

S. D. Udal (1) Dropped

D. J. Pattinson (1) Dropped

A. Khan (1) Dropped

J. C. Tredwell (1) Dropped

A. Shahzad (1) Dropped

England used 20 bowlers in test cricket in the same period with 14 being given their marching orders, often with only a solitary test to prove their worth. Is there, perhaps a reluctance from the England management to established batsmen, while long standing servants such as Matthew Hoggard are jettisoned with haste. There is little wonder that Robert Key fell out with the England management after being selected to bat at number six in his only international Twenty 20 knock despite phenomenal success as Kent skipper at the top of the order. Their is little wonder that Michael Carberry, who continues to exhibit fine form with the bat was quoted as saying playing for 'England is out of the question', 'that ship has sailed'. In the current financial climate with further job losses expected as the government makes cuts in the public sector the place to be, so it would seem, is a centrally contracted England batsman. Complete job security and generous remuneration from the ECB. It seems a good time to be a member of the 'in crowd' and a bad time to be an ambitious county batsman.

Opening Shots

As England continue their test dominance over the tourists from the sub continent in 2010 with what looks set for a second victory in as many tests against Pakistan all should be well in the England camp. Only the injured Ian Bell is unavailable to the national side, meaning the a strong eleven is able to capitalise on a fantastic summer for English cricket. Kevin Pietersen, spurned (somewhat understandably given the circircumstances) by Hampshire has all but silenced those calling for a review of his place in the side with a, scarcely chanceless 80 against what we must not forget is a highly effective bowling unit. Questions, however remain about opener Alistair Cook.

Cook announced himself with useful half century in his first test match knock, followed by a undefeated century against Inida at Nagpur. In scoring a century on debut Cook was placed in illustrious company. Grace, May, Chappell (G. S.), Greenidge and Ganguly had all attained the feat. Cook, like his current opening partner and England captain Andrew Strauss certainly hit the ground running. A further 11 test centuries only highlights his skill with the bat, however past performances cannot merit inclusion in any team. Form must be taken into consideration.

During the English summer Cook has only shown glimpses of his undoubted talent. During the winter he made hay against a weak side in Bangladesh but his return to England has been far from fruitful. A tally of 59 runs in three innings against Bangladesh and only 37 in the first two tests of the series against Pakistan are the statistics of a man out of form. An average of 16 would be disappointing for a number eight, let alone an opening bat. The national side must exhibit, not only the best possible talent which is available (a criterion Cook undoubtedly fulfills) but also players in the best possible form. The 25 year old Alistair Cook has a bright future for England. Praised by Graham Gooch (118 tests and 8,900 runs) the Essex opener has every chance of replicating the output of his mentor, however he will not in the form he is currently in. England must bite the bullet and drop Alistair Cook for the remainder of the season.

It is not hard to see the reasons why England are reluctant to take this step. Alistair Cook is a senior, ECB centrally contracted player in a team which has built up an emphasis on a consistency in selection. He is test vice captain, led the side during the winter and is thought of as being the heir apparent to Andrew Strauss. However this should not be sufficient to maintain a position in the line up.

The central contracts distributed to England's top players has undoubtedly aided the stability of a team and given greater strength as a unit. However it has also led to the creation of a clique, almost impenetrable to outsiders. This is particularly the case with England batsmen. When established as an England player batsmen are all but assured of their places. Strauss, Cook, Pietersen and Collingwood have all become all but nailed down certainties, only omitted occasionally and then for the reasons of rest. The management have, however been less generous with bowlers, with a greater degree of chopping and changing in that department. Such a situation leads not only to desperation to a number of excellent county players who cannot attain selection, but also some complacency from those in possession.

Similarly Cook's potential as a captain does not hold enough weight to maintain his place. No matter how good a leader any player is a drop in form undermines their position in a team, something which Michael Vaughan learnt during the series against South Africa in 2008. Is Alistair Cook the first player to retain a test place for his captaincy ability, despite not actually being skipper? Perhaps if the ECB were so committed to developing Cook as a future leader, they could ask Essex, who are having their own problems in this department this season, to allow Captain Cook to set sail for Chelmsford and play a full season of county cricket in 2011. Such a decision has clearly prove fruitful for Yorkshire's Adil Rashid, who has developed well as a player during 2010 and rediscovered the form which led to him being praised so highly after he burst on to the scene with a match winning 6-67 against Warwickshire at Scarborough.

Perhaps such a suggestion is taking the case a little too far. Although it would undoubtedly strengthen Cook's standings as a leader (and perhaps as a player) such a lengthy stretch away from the international stage may well be a backward step. However a spell away from international cricket with Essex for the remainder of the season could help Cook to rectify the problems with his technique and score some much needed runs away from the glare of the public eye ahead of a grueling tour of Australia.

But if England were to drop Cook, who would open the batting with Andrew Strauss? There are no centrally contracted players who are designated 'openers'.

Jonathan Trott

Like Cook, the South African born Trott announced his arrival onto the international scene with a century, and not just any old century. To make a hundred on debut in the deciding test of an Ashes series in front of a packed Oval shows real strength of mind and character. He has batted well in his 12 months as an England player and, with his unwillingness to be hurried and take control of the situation may be suited to opening the innings. After all coming in to bat at number three can be the same thing if a wicket were to fall in the first couple of overs. However the only problem with this promotion lies in the remainder of the batting line up. If England expect Trott to bat at number three down under, and all indicators suggest just that, why move him around the order, would it not be better both for the team and Trott to maintain the intended position?

Furthermore if he were to come be elevated who would be called into the team. Ravi Bopara, perhaps who has recovered from his Ashes scars and discovered form at Essex. Perhaps, however it is better for Trott to retain his place at number thee, after all the problem is with the opener so why disrupt other batsmen, it simply creates more problems. An opener for an opener would be far the better option.

Michael Carberry

Such a designated opener is Michael Carberry of Hampshire. A stylish and powerful presence at the top of the order Carberry, who is at the peak of his career, has been sadly passed over by the England management in recent years. His one test cap came during the winter tour to Bangladesh. A 30 anf 34 at Chittagong was not something which he was given the chance to improve. Examining his form this week, 162 and 107 against defending champions Durham it's clear Carberry, a man highly rated by former England and Surrey star Alec Stewart, is at the very top of his game. There is no reason why this form would not continue at the highest level.

Furthermore the selection of Carberry would also remove something of a blot on the copy book of the England management. Carberry was selected to do a job for England in the sub continent. He did this, but was not given a chance to take accomplish anything more than an adequate job done, before England shamelessly jettisoned the Hampshire opener. Although a desire to rectify past wrongs should, by no means be a reason for selection it would be a sporting decision. It would show that there is something less of a clique at the top and prove to county players that application and good performances can lead to a call up.

Adam Lyth

The most prolific batsman of the 2010 first class season Lyth, the first player to pass 1,000 run, a feat which he had almost accomplished by the end of May. An excellent season opening the innings for Yorkshire has helped to guide his side to the top of the County Championship.

A young, promising talent, Lyth, well liked by Michael Vaughan, has had a phenomenal start to a career. A selection would be a victory for anyone believing that form warrants selection however even the most obdurate Yorkshire member would acknowledge that he is not ready for the test arena. Lyth, who is still to be awarded his full first team Yorkshire cap, needs more time to learn his game before any such chance.

Michael Yardy

Yardy, a member of England's world conquering Twenty20 team has been used extensively for lower order runs and orthodox left arm spin. However the Sussex captain has a far greater role for his county. Opening the batting last season Yardy compiled an impressive 1,046 runs at 41.84. The selection of Yardy may solve a problem England have while having the added benefit of showing a greater link between the limited overs and first class formats of the game. The added bowling brought to the team may also provide Strauss with a back up to Swann in the spin department, which is of course never a bad thing for any captain. Whether Yardy is up to the test is, perhaps up for discussion although he could well be a valuable addition to any team which would seek to be victorious in the sub continent, an aim in time for any team seeking to be the number one in the world.

The possibilities for the replacement for Cook are indeed numerous, although whether any choice would be anything more than a limited opportunity is a contentious issue, particularly if the replacement under performs. Cook is practically a certainty to open the innings for England in Australia, but a dilemma for the selectors would certainly be healthy.