Five alternatives for Keaton Jennings

#4 Adam Lyth

Adam Lyth hit 107 in only his second Test, but was dropped after Australia exposed his weaknesses

Yet another Yorkshire boy possessing immense potential, Lyth started out with the typical modern-day approach of attacking the new ball early with extravagant shots; but control soon arrived, and he blossomed in his county’s successful Championship season in 2014.

That fruitful year, Lyth struck 1,489 runs at 67.68 to knock on the England selectors’ doors, particularly with the 2015 Ashes looming. The style of left-handed Lyth was easy on the eye and his game matured in the company of the more established Joe Root, who now captains England in Test cricket.

In 2010, Lyth lit up county cricket with 1,509 runs, but only patches of glory mingled with numerous soft dismissals often turned eyeballs the other way. Two seasons later, he entered the history books by smashing 248*, thus recording the highest score by any Yorkshire opener to have ended up carrying his bat.

When 2013 began, Lyth achieved the distinction of being selected for each of the 16 Championship games for his county. When a Test debut finally arrived in 2015, the southpaw hit 107 in just his second Test, but faded away as Australia’s pace battery exposed his weaknesses.

Though a below-par Test average of 20.38 after seven games is no great show, prior experience in top flight cricket can prove to be the reason why Lyth might edge past some of his other competitors for the opener’s slot.