Poll: Lyth and Lees enhance their claims for England Test call

According to Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon, the answer is as follows: “Take your pick from any one of at least four candidates.”

Moxon believes the Yorkshire duo of Adam Lyth and Alex Lees, along with Sam Robson and Jonathan Trott, all have a chance of getting the nod to be Cook’s opening partner when England return to Test action against the West Indies in Antigua in April.

With all four currently in action on the England Lions tour of South Africa, it is high noon on the Highveld as the quartet embark on their own private shoot-out.

On the first day of that tour in Soweto yesterday, the picture became even less clear than it was previously.

Robson made 109 before retiring out against a Gauteng Invitation XI, Lyth made 106 before retiring out and Lees hit 82 not out, with only captain Trott (6) failing to fill his boots as his team scored 361-4 in the three-day fixture.

With Nick Compton and Michael Carberry having lost their Test spots, and with Yorkshire’s Joe Root now apparently ensconced in the middle-order, it is difficult to see how anyone not currently in South Africa can force their way into the equation – unless Alex Hales makes a compelling case at the forthcoming World Cup.

For Moxon – who opened the batting in 10 Tests between 1986 and 1989 – it is perm any one from four at the present moment.

“It all depends on what happens over the next few weeks as to who will open the batting with Alastair Cook,” he said.

“We’ll have to see how things pan out in South Africa, and it’s looking like a direct shoot-off.

“Obviously, on last summer’s form alone, you can’t look any further than Adam Lyth.

“He was the form batsman and played wonderfully well for us.

“Hopefully, he’ll continue that form in South Africa because, by the time England next play Test cricket in April, you’re looking at a long time since the end of last season.

“That’s why the Lions’ tour is so important for him and he’s obviously made a tremendous start.

“Alex Lees, too, is firmly in the mix, while Robson and Trott are also contenders.

“If Trott plays well, then where’s he going to come back into the side? I can’t see them moving Root and (Gary) Ballance around the order, with the summers they’ve just had, so Trott could potentially come into the equation as an opener.

“For me, there’s four of them on that tour who could potentially do it, and whoever plays best will no doubt get the nod.”

Neither Robson, Lyth nor Lees were budging an inch at the University of Johannesburg venue yesterday.

Robson – who was Cook’s Test match partner last summer – opened the batting with Lyth and dominated their alliance of 176 in 48 overs.

The Middlesex right-hander –who has failed to convince at the highest level despite a fine hundred against Sri Lanka at Headingley – raced to a 146-ball century in a gutsy riposte to those who believe he is not the right man for England going forward.

After the Invitation XI chose to bowl, Robson had three figures on the board before Lyth had passed fifty, his innings a clear indication that he has no intention of giving up his Test place without a fight.

Not to be outdone, Lyth showed great tenacity en route to three figures himself, his 106 arriving from 171 balls with 16 fours and a six.

Rarely is Lyth out-scored by a batting partner at a rate of almost two runs to one, but the fact that he dug in and played the match situation – as opposed to one of his closest rivals for a Test place – highlighted the 27-year-old’s growing maturity.

“Lythy is capable of grinding it out now,” said Moxon.

“In the past, he might have got a bit frustrated, played a loose shot and got himself out.

“But his willingness to battle through the tough periods is really impressive.

“We know he’s a beautiful stroke-maker, but you can’t always have that luxury of going in and playing your shots; sometimes you have to earn the right.”

Lees, 21, showed similar tenacity at Yorkshire last summer.

The left-hander played steadily to reach fifty from 112 balls yesterday, then, having “earned the right”, cut loose towards the close with a flurry of boundaries.

The fact that Lees batted No 3 is an indication of how England are thinking, although there is scope for experimentation in the two unofficial Tests against South Africa A later this month.

There was also a pleasing cameo yesterday from Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow, who struck an unbeaten 32 from 53 balls in a match that also features Yorkshire’s Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid and Jack Brooks.

The other wicket to fall was that of Hampshire’s James Vince, who succumbed for seven.