Last week, no less an authority than former England captain Michael Atherton suggested Zak Crawley is “going to need a mountain of runs” to keep his Test place this summer.
Yet what the opener has produced in the first two rounds of the County Championship is more akin to a molehill.
In four innings, Crawley has scored 60 runs at an average of 15, with his highest score being the 26 he made for Kent in the first innings of their latest match against Northamptonshire.
After a poor Ashes in Australia, averaging 27.30 in a series he had been earmarked to dominate, the 28-year-old’s England career is at a crossroads. After 64 Tests he averages 31.18.
That mountain of runs must come in the coming weeks, especially with a list of contenders ready to step in if England’s selectors decide to look elsewhere.
England managing director Rob Key has gone on record to say county form will carry greater weight this summer after admitting the team had been too loyal to certain players in recent years.
Crawley is the ultimate case in point. So, who could replace him for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s in June? The i Paper takes a look…
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
Age: 22
Runs so far this season: 118
Average: 29.50
Why he could do it: Scored an unbeaten century for England Lions against Australia A over the winter after a breakthrough season for Glamorgan. Scored 85 against a very good Nottinghamshire attack in the latest round of Championship games and could come into contention if he picks up form.
Why it’s a bad idea: He is young, has played just 17 first-class games and started the season with scores of 11 and 19 against Yorkshire. More time may be needed
Suitability (out of 10): 8/10
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Age: 21
Runs so far this season: 290
Average: 96.66
Why he could do it: Highly-rated by the Bazball set-up and a Lions regular, including in Australia last winter. Tall, aggressive and possessing a sound technique, he has just scored a standout 244 against Gloucestershire.
Why it’s a bad idea: Again, he is young, with just 26 first-class games under his belt. His runs this summer are also coming in Division Two, where largely the bowling attacks are inferior to those in the top-flight let alone Test cricket.
Suitability (out of 10): 7/10
Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire)
Age: 29
Runs so far this season: 62
Average: 15.50
Why he could do it: He has experienced Test cricket before and has vastly improved after moving from Lancashire to Notts. His record last season, 1,258 runs at 66.21, was outstanding.
Why it’s a bad idea: His form so far this season has been poor. His style of play is at odds with Bazball, although that may change depending on how England recalibrate this summer following the Ashes. Does he really deserve another chance?
Suitability (out of 10): 3/10
Dom Sibley (Surrey)
Age: 30
Runs so far this season: 88.
Average: 22.
Why he could do it: Sibley is another who has played Test cricket so knows what is needed. He was the leading runscorer in Division One last season and despite a slow start will probably be close again this year.
Why it’s a bad idea: Another whose approach might not be right for this England team and who has failed in his previous spell in Test cricket. At his age, isn’t it time for someone younger?
Suitability (out of 10): 2/10
Emilio Gay (Durham)
Age: 25
Runs so far this season: 144
Average: 48
Why he could do it: Started the season with a century last week against Kent. Another England Lions player whose runs in Division One last season – 954 – show how good he is. Has played three T20s for Italy so has some, albeit limited, experience of the international game. His 69 first-class matches are more relevant.
Why it’s a bad idea: He bats at No 3 for Durham at the minute and is another left-hander, meaning there would be two southpaws at the top of the order alongside Ben Duckett if he came into England’s team.
Suitability (out of 10): 6/10
James Rew (Somerset)
Age: 22
Runs so far this season: 234
Average: 78
Why he could do it: This guy is just so good, averaging above 40 across 59 first-class games at such a young age. Batted at No 4 in three of his four innings so far this season but made a second-innings century from No 3 against Notts in week one. So could he go one place higher, just to fit this immense talent in?
Why it’s a bad idea: He is young, isn’t a top-order batter and it is a huge ask to thrust him into this key position straight away.
Suitability (out of 10): 8/10
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Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Age: 25
Runs so far this season: 396
Average: 99
Why he could do it: He is already in the team and averages above 40 after 20 Tests. Has moved up to No 3 for Surrey this summer and has ripped it up across the first two games. Doable if he gives up the gloves.
Why it’s a bad idea: He is England’s first-choice wicketkeeper and surely cannot open and do that job as well so who comes in for him? Rew? Perhaps. Also stint as a one-day opener did not work.
Suitability (out of 10): 9/10
