Published on: Sep 1, 2018 3:34 pm IST|Updated on: Sep 1, 2018 3:34 pm IST
We need a new opening pair who can begin their careers at an equal stage. Ie. They won’t have the poisoned chalice of being Cooks unproven partner hanging over them. Cook has the experience to bat 3, it’s about progression not just staying where you are! Cook at 3 and Root 4!— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) August 30, 2018
We need a new opening pair who can begin their careers at an equal stage. Ie. They won’t have the poisoned chalice of being Cooks unproven partner hanging over them. Cook has the experience to bat 3, it’s about progression not just staying where you are! Cook at 3 and Root 4!
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) August 30, 2018
Image credit @ ICC
Published on: Sep 1, 2018 11:58 am IST|Updated on: Sep 1, 2018 11:59 am IST
England’s top order has been a massive cause of concern for the team management. Since Andrew Strauss’ retirement, the team has failed to find a reliable partner for Alastair Cook to open the innings while the number three position has seen several batsmen as well.
Add to it Cook’s lack of runs in the recent past and Joe Root’s struggles to adapt to number three position, you have a highly vulnerable top-order.
It seems that England cricketer Nick Compton has a solution for this grave problem. According to Compton, the time is ripe for England team management to invest in a new opening pair. Compton wants England to try a completely new batting pair at the top of the order and wants Cook to come at number three. This would then allow Root to bat at number four which is where he has scored a lot of runs.
While speaking with an online cricket portal Compton said that the opening partnership of Cook and Keaton Jennings hasn’t worked so the time now is for a new opening partnership, for a new group of cricketers, two new cricketers to open the innings.
Compton pointed out that Since Strass’ retirement, England have tried 12 batsmen with Cook at the top of the order and hence now they should try something different. Compton wants Cook to come at number three which will according to him allow Cook to evolve.
The England cricketer admitted that his proposal will be questioned by people as Cook is one of the greatest openers England has ever produced but Compton backed his claim by using evidence from other sports.
He gave example of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who are ‘evolving continuously’ and hopes Cook can do the same. He pointed that Cook is the most experienced player in the team and England need experience at number three.
To further back his proposal Compton said that this move allows Root to bat at number four where he is naturally good at.