Who misses out and who opens? Wisden Writers pick their top six for England’s first Test in South Africa

Phil Walker

Wisden Cricket Monthly editor in chief

There are two definites. Bethell to come back, and Cox to stay in. When Cox has batted with Root this summer, he’s looked every bit as organised. There is aura there. He has a technical deficiency - his bat occasionally comes down at an angle to the inducker, as seen at Edgbaston when he was pinned by Mo Abbas (not the only one) cutting across the straight one. But then he played beautifully in the second innings. He’s good, it’s his time, and he knows it.

I’ve gone back and forth on how to fit them in. On balance, for now, I’d persist with Gay, who’s shown glimpses and deserves some slack, it’s a bastard of a job at the moment. It’s harsh on Lawrence, who’s done some good things this summer. He’s a more convincing Test cricketer now than at any other stage in his career. But for the Wanderers, where spin is invariably an afterthought, I’d go with Cox at No.6, with Bethell back in at No.3. I’d toyed with Bethell at six, not least to shake things up as a left-hander in the middle order, but ultimately you want him in the engine room, up top, from where he can learn to become one of the most devastating runmakers in the game. And Duckett stays, though he could certainly do with a good series.

Gay, Duckett, Bethell, Root, Brook, Cox

Mark Butcher

Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast

Lawrence is bullet proof because of the spin. I don't see them changing the balance of four quicks in South Africa, particularly Pretoria and Johanesburg. The argument comes between Bethell and Emilio Gay, simply because if Bethell wasn't coming back into the side then Gay has done fine and deserves another crack at the whip. But England will look at it and think 'who are our best batters?' and Gay will get edged out. On that score, out of Cox and Bethell, technically I would says Bethell is better suited to opening the batting than Cox, therefore Bethell and Duckett to open the batting.

Ducket, Bethell, Cox, Root, Brook, Lawrence

Ben Gardner

Wisden.com managing editor

An hour before the close of play on day three at Edgbaston, no one expected there to be a day four. Then Razaullah bared his jawline and equalled Southee’s world record for sixes on debut and all of a sudden England had a tricky little chase on their hands. It’s an hour of cricket that could prove costly for Emilio Gay. He fell in the first over the next morning, making Jordan Cox a de facto opener, and he aced the audition, exceeding even Joe Root in their century stand. Dan Lawrence had ended the carnage the previous evening, continuing his happy habit of finding ways to contribute, whether it be via a smattering of half-centuries or a grab or two at slip. There’s logic to be spun around moving Cox up, Bethell in and Gay aside.

And yet, when I picture South Africa, and that attack, and the ball racing down through thin air at 140 clicks, the batter I feel least confident about is Lawrence, and that unique technique, the feet largely stationary as the hands doing their thing. I’d then be tempted by Bethell at No.6, despite him clearly having the technique for No.3. He is the precious talent, and deserves careful handling.

Duckett, Gay, Cox, Root, Brook, Bethell

Katya Witney

Wisden staff writer

The whole debate hinges not on whether Gay's skills as a specialist opener supersede bumping one of Cox or Bethell up to open, but whether England want use of Dan Lawrence's spin in South African conditions. You could make the case either way, but I'd swing on the side of yes. If it's established that Lawrence stays in and will bat with the tail, then the attention turns to the top.

It's a simple three into one, whether you go with the two batters who look the most likely to produce a match-winning innings, or the one that's done enough to not be dropped on metrics. My choice would be the one who looked the most assured and confident of them all against Pakistan, and the prodigal son returning. It's tough on Gay, but he's got time yet to come back, and might well do when the balance shifts again. As for who actually opens, it might as well be a coin toss. I'll go with Bethell, on gut.

Duckett, Bethell, Cox, Root, Brook, Lawrence

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