Beefy feels England may stick with out-of-sorts Jennings
Thursday 7 November 2019 14:38, UK
England are "80 per cent there" as a Test team ahead of the series against West Indies and Australia, says Sir Ian Botham.
Moeen Ali's 5-69 spun the hosts to a 177-run victory over South Africa in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and a 3-1 series win, following their triumphs in the first and third Tests at Lord's and The Oval respectively - England's 340-run loss in the second game at Trent Bridge their only aberration.
Joe Root's side begin a three-Test series against West Indies at Edgbaston on August 17, before heading to Australia, with the first of five Ashes Tests getting underway in Brisbane on November 23.
"England have lots of things they will be happy with - they are 80 per cent there," Botham told Sky Sports.
"Ben Stokes' batting has gone to a different level of maturity - vice-captaincy has done him the world of good. Plus, guys like Ali, who was quite rightly Man of the Series, just keep getting better and better."
Keaton Jennings' form was one of the minuses for England against South Africa, the Durham opener scoring just 127 runs at an average of 15.87 while partnering Alastair Cook.
Nasser Hussain has suggested the left-hander be dropped and work on his technical flaws in county cricket but Botham feels England may keep faith with a man who hit a ton in India on Test debut.
"England have three or four positions - opening batsman, plus No 3 and No 5 - they will want to assess before get on the plane to Australia," he added.
"They have only got three Tests against West Indies to do it but England don't panic and they will want to give these guys time.
"Jennings got a hundred against India in India, and not a lot of people do that, and Root has spoken well about his demeanour."
