Nick Compton calls for a change in England's Test opening pair

Andrew Strauss retired from Test cricket back in 2012 and ever since England have strained to find answers to their opening-pair conundrum. As many as 12 stands have been tried out. The Three Lions are currently playing a five-match Test series against India and both their openers- Keaton Jennings and Alastair Cook – haven’t been able to perform to expectations.

Both have been pretty mediocre, to say the least. While Cook has scored 97 runs in six innings, Jennings has only managed 94 runs in as many innings. It goes without saying that the Indian bowlers have been successful in putting the skids under them. In the meantime, Nick Compton, an expert with ESPNcricinfo, reckons that a new opening pair needs to be given the chance.

It also gives a chance for Cook to develop as well

“There have been 12 opening stands since Strauss and I was among them, fortunately, or unfortunately and it seems to be a bit of poison chalice and it has come to a point where you can’t keep this revolving door going. The point is this opening partnership hasn’t worked and the time has come for a new opening stand,” Compton mentioned.

The South Africa-born cricketer also believes that Alastair Cook should come at number three and backed his comments by putting forth the names of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, both of whom are currently playing the US Open tennis tournament. Moreover, he opined on Joe Root, the English captain, and Jonny Bairstow’s batting positions where both can be effective with the willow.

“It also gives a chance for Cook to develop as well. Sport is about continual evolvement. You can look at the likes of Federer and  Djokovic, both of whom are evolving and getting better. Cook is the most experienced player and we need an experienced number three. And if you have to have two youngsters, they aren’t going to do any worse than the current opening stand,” he remarked.

“Cook, who can play spin well, can play at three and it can then put Joe Root in his rightful position. Jonny Bairstow should be in at number five as he is not a technician and rather a positive player. That for me brings about a better English batting order,” the 35-year-old added.

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