England may have just completed a series win over India but Monday’s announcement by Alastair Cook of his impending retirement from international cricket has added to their list of problems.
England have long sought a reliable partner for opening batsman Cook, their all-time leading Test run-scorer.
Keaton Jennings, one of 12 batsmen tried at the top of the order in the past six years, is the current incumbent.
But whether a second-innings 36 in England’s 60-run win in the fourth Test at Southampton – a victory that gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match India series – is enough for Jennings to retain his place for the fifth Test at The Oval starting Friday, remains to be seen.
There is also uncertainty over where England captain Joe Root, who dropped down from number three to his favoured number four berth to make 48 in the second innings at Southampton, bats at Surrey’s headquarters in south London.
Jonny Bairstow’s best batting position is up for debate as well and so too his wish to keep wicket if fit to do so – a broken finger suffered in the third Test at Trent Bridge saw Jos Buttler behind the stumps for England last week.
