Adam Lyth should be drafted in ahead of big summer
Wednesday 29 April 2015 15:44, UK
Michael Vaughan says he cannot envisage Jonathan Trott opening for England in this summer’s Ashes.
Trott has struggled in his new berth at the top of the order in the West Indies, with a solitary half-century punctuated by two ducks and a score of four across the first two Tests.
Former England skipper Vaughan told Sky Sports News HQ that the 34-year-old is too fidgety and should be replaced by uncapped Yorkshireman Adam Lyth for this week's third Test in Barbados.
“I thought risking Trott at the top of the order was the right kind of risk as you want that style of player back in your team and the only available slot was as an opener,” said Vaughan.
“But I think he is too frantic and, unless he can change that, I don’t see him walking out at Cardiff in July to open in the Ashes against Australia.
“I know it’s only one step up from three to two but it is a completely different concept - you have to set the tone and send a calmness back with your method and technique, something he hasn’t done in his four innings as an opener.
You have to set the tone and send a calmness back with your method and technique, something he hasn’t done in his four innings as an opener.
“I would like to see Lyth given an opportunity now as we are only three Tests away from Australia and England have got to get that opening partnership right.”
Trott’s toils have not been matched by fellow opener Alastair Cook, with the England captain bouncing back from totals of 11 and 13 in the first Test with scores of 76 and 59 not out in the second.
Vaughan believes the left-hander – England’s second-highest Test run scorer of all time – looks solid at the crease again having gone nearly two years without an international century.
“He should be happy with the way he is moving as his head position is what you’re looking for in an opener,” Vaughan added of Cook, whose last England ton came in a Test with New Zealand in May 2013.
“He will want a century but with all the pressure around him and the team when England arrived in the West Indies, it was just important that he got back scoring runs.
“He is also looking good tactically, which is important, too.”
Ben Stokes made headlines during England’s second-Test victory, exchanging verbals with Marlon Samuels, as well as getting saluted by the West Indies batsman when he was dismissed.
But Vaughan says Cook’s side needs the Durham man’s intensity and he has tipped the 23-year-old, who was left out of England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, for a long and successful international career.
“Stokes is a really good cricketer with a tremendous future and he is justifying his selection,“ said Vaughan, ahead of the third Test, which begins on Friday.
“He is fiery and there will be more confrontations with him on the field but I think England need that and the kind of players who will get in the opposition’s faces."
Watch the third Test from 2.30pm, Friday, Sky Sports 2.
