Were one to design a set of laboratory conditions under which to assess a band of batting hopefuls, they would probably look rather different to those endured by England in this Pakistan series. Pockmarked pitches, challenging overheads and troublesome balls have formed a pretty unpleasant cocktail; a visiting bowling attack largely incapable of exerting concerted pressure have at least made it slip down a little easier.
Still, though, England may feel they have learned relatively little about Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence. Each has flashed without really flourishing – Lawrence’s three 50s mark him ahead of the other two, though his runs have been made from the relative comfort of No 6 and he did not manage to go past 65. Gay looks a pleasing strokemaker in full flow but has not been able to find that fluent state often enough; like any opening batter needs to, he has at least shown a capacity to scrap and scrape for runs, though there was a rueful look as he wandered off for a 60 that could or should have been more at Edgbaston. Cox could be said the most assured technique of the three, and steadied the ship successfully in partnership with Joe Root in the last run chase. That innings showed the temperament that England, evidently, like.
open image in galleryIn other circumstances, each would have probably done just enough to secure their spot for another series at least. But the looming return of Jacob Bethell for the tour to South Africa in December will displace, in all likelihood, one of the trio. If it would be a surprise if each does not tour, a case can be made for all of Gay, Cox and Lawrence to keep their spots; and each to lose them. Certainly, this England environment has shown greater flexibility when it comes to assigning positions in the batting order – all of the three could probably profess to currently being at least one spot too high, in the case of Gay and Cox, or too low, with regard to Lawrence.
open image in galleryEven Bethell’s installation at No 3 was a gamble that paid off handsomely in Sydney with a first Ashes, Test, and first-class hundred. A figure clearly regarded as a leader of the future by England has a more modest record than one might first assume given his reputation, though isn’t about to be jettisoned. His return adds an extra spin option; the nature of the Pakistan series has left it difficult to judge Lawrence’s capacity to fulfil the leading role in that sense. Still, though, his spunky stroke-making, second skill and strong summer with Surrey make him a solid fit at No 6 – even if there is a worry that his leg-side preference may leave him vulnerable against better attacks.
open image in galleryCox, interestingly, has more experience opening than at No 3 in first-class cricket, making his name initially with an unbeaten double-hundred at the top of the order for Kent against a callow Sussex attack in 2020. Worries over his ability against the short ball – highlighted during a white-ball tour of the West Indies in 2024 – have been slightly allayed of late, though Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and South Africa’s array of seamers will provide a sterner test in that regard than Cox has so far encountered in his short career. Could he push up to keep Bethell at three? It is perhaps the likeliest solution to the logjam. Ben Duckett should be safe for now – though there was a carelessness to too much of his work this summer.
That would leave Gay on the outside looking in, unfortunate for a batter nonetheless young enough and talented enough to come again. He may face competition, mind, from imposing Durham teammate Ben McKinney, who spearheaded their promotion-sealing victory over Middlesex with a second innings daddy hundred. In Alex Lees, Gay at least has another colleague with which he could commiserate – though his county captain did at least get a 10-Test run, rather than six. Of course, incoming head coach Stephen Fleming may have a view – his lack of presence for this series has been forgotten, a little, amid the chaos of everything else.
open image in galleryThe presumption then would be that the rest of the XI fills itself out from Root down as it has throughout the three Pakistan Tests. Jamie Smith, as much with gloves as bat, has answered a few critics, and appears increasingly assured in a team under new leadership. A seam attack of high potential was made to toil for the first time, really, on the series’ penultimate day, and did not necessarily respond particularly well. If the change of tack that dislodged both Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel displayed why there is understandable excitement around what they can do, the periods that came both before and after underlined a revealing rawness. Firm, fast pitches on the Highveld will provide new challenges and opportunities for Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson.
Who goes with them as back-up may be instructive as to the seam pecking order. A six-for in this County Championship round for Olly Stone were welcome not just for Nottinghamshire’s title defence but England, too, with another bowler of high pace and skill looking in fine fettle; Brydon Carse, too, was among the wickets, though matters off the pitch are probably of greater bearing than anything he does on it. Where once there was a dearth of English seamers capable of pushing towards 90mph, it is now land of plenty: Sonny Baker, Henry Crocombe, Mitch Stanley and Eddie Jack could all be tourists.
open image in galleryThe spin stocks, as detailed before, are more limited, though it may be hoped that it again plays a limited role against the World Test Championship winners when they arrive in South Africa. A preceding series with Australia will leave the hosts’ battle-hardened; England will not be able to say the same but confidence has at least been restored after a bruising nine months.