It appears new national selector Ed Smith will decide to replace incumbent opener Mark Stoneman with either Nick Gubbins or Keaton Jennings when he names England’s squad for the first Test of the summer tomorrow.
Stoneman will pay the price for his inability to deliver on England’s winter tours of Australia and New Zealand. He showed signs of promise with four half-centuries, but a top score of 60 means he failed to convert when it mattered. An average of 30 across 18 innings illustrates Stoneman’s failure to provide much-needed durability at the head of a fragile top order. Arguably, he hasn’t been helped by the lack of runs from his more experienced opening partner in Alastair Cook either, but there is no way the ex-captain will be cast aside just yet.
Stoneman hasn’t helped himself with a lack of runs at the start of the county season for Surrey. And this is where Smith will have seen Gubbins, for Middlesex, and Jennings of Lancashire, strut their stuff.
Coach Trevor Bayliss signed off England’s dismal winter with a challenge to English-qualified players to produce for their counties ahead of the Test summer, which begins on 24 May at Lord’s against the talented, if unpredictable, Pakistan. It is why The Sportsman has profiled some of the men who may force their way into contention – from bowler Jake Ball to another candidate to open in Surrey’s Rory Burns.
But it appears they haven’t quite done enough – and it’s Gubbins or Jennings who will are at the centre of Smith’s first big call. But who should get the nod?
In the past, England have tended to favour those who have been in the set-up previously. You can argue the merits of this, but the loyalty shown to those entrusted with the shirt is commendable, if a little misguided. You only have to witness the times they have gone back to, or persevered with, the likes of Gary Ballance – horribly found out at the highest level – and James Vince, whose quality is undone by his lack of mental fortitude.
That point may see Jennings favoured. He has been in possession of the opener’s jersey before, which perhaps makes him favourite given England have been quicker to give second chances before another first opportunity to someone else.
Jennings thrilled on debut with a fine century in defeat by India, before struggling to replicate that form for the remainder of the tour. In truth, it’s arguably the toughest series of the lot for an English batsman, but he was quickly jettisoned in favour of supposed boy wonder Haseeb Hameed. The youngster impressed immediately, but woeful county form since he suffered injury in India means he is slipping further away from Test contention. England hoped a good start to the season with Lancashire would enable them to fast-track him back in, seen as he is as Cook’s long-term successor. But Hameed continues to struggle, and has been dropped by his county, leaving many to wonder what the fuss is all about.
However, his Lancashire teammate Jennings is thriving again. Given he had just six matches for England – he returned to face South Africa briefly last year – it is fair to say the 25-year-old has been given less of a chance than many others.
He has taken Bayliss’ challenge on board with back-to-back County Championship centuries in the last fortnight – a timely reminder of his credentials. It is just two seasons since he was named County Championship Player of the Year – while at Durham – averaging 64 to finish as the competition’s leading run-scorer. A natural talent, his time could be about to come again.
As for Gubbins, he too is in the runs to stake a claim, albeit with just three innings to his name after a delayed start to the summer due to a hamstring injury. He has raced to form to put himself in contention with a century against Sussex followed by 99 over Gloucestershire. He raised the prospect of a call-up with back-to-back centuries in pre-season, playing for the South against the North in the invitational friendlies, which took place in Barbados in front of director of cricket Andrew Strauss – a man who knows a thing or two about opening the batting for England.
Sticking with the fact England like to promote from within, Gubbins has served his apprenticeship with the Lions. In truth, he struggled on the most recent tour of West Indies against the turning ball, but impressed coaches with his work away from the action in attempting to overcome his troubles.
As with Jennings, Gubbins has good County Championship pedigree, reaching almost 1,500 runs as Middlesex won the title in 2016.
Both will no doubt have a sleepless night awaiting the final verdict. Whoever gets the nod, Smith has at least viewed the County Championship exactly as he should – as an audition to play for your country.
