Unser Chat » gure of consistency in recent seas

It is coming up to four years since the retirement of Andrew Strauss, but heading into the Test series with Sri Lanka, England are still searching for a dependable long-term opening partner for Alastair Cook. Many have been given the opportunity to prove themselves at the top of the order - Joe Root, Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and Moeen Ali to name but a few - but no one has done enough to make the spot their own.Here we look at five of the potential options to join Cook in the middle when England begin their first innings at Headingley later this month… Alex Hales Hales scored just 136 runs in eight innings for England in South Africa The Nottinghamshire batsman is the man in possession having opened up with Cook during Englands series victory over South Africa during the winter. However, Hales struggled to make an impact, making only one half-century as he managed just 136 runs at an average of 17 in eight innings.Yet having shown his class for England in limited overs cricket, the 27-year-old may well be given the chance to prove himself on home soil in the longest form of the game.Hales was certainly in good touch for Notts last summer, hitting three centuries and two fifties with an average just shy of 50, while his 73 against Middlesex on Sunday could prove very timely.Nick Browne Nick Browne is believed to be among those being considered by England The only player in our list plying his trade in Division Two, Browne has the advantage of having opened the batting with Cook for Essex on a number of occasions. Since making his first-class debut in 2013, the left-hander has scored over 4,000 runs with an average just over 41.At 25, Browne has time on his side and the potential to become a mainstay in the side for years to come. Although, after scoring 1,157 championship runs last summer, he has struggled so far in 2016.There have been two half-centuries but there have also been a number of low scores. An untimely dip in form could see him miss out, though he will be familiar with the Sri Lanka attack from Essexs ongoing match against Angelo Mathews men.Adam Lyth Adam Lyth started the season with a century for Yorkshrie Having been drafted into the England squad at the beginning of last summer, Lyth lasted just seven matches - two against New Zealand and five Ashes games - having scored just 265 runs in 13 innings. The Yorkshireman did manage a Test century in the second Test against the Kiwis but was found wanting outside his off stump by the Australians.He has received backing from one former Aussie bowler, though, in the form of Jason Gillespie, his coach at Yorkshire, who believes Lyth is good enough to thrive at Test level. A century in his first County Championship game of the new season showed his undoubted talent but scores of nought and four in the recent clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, live on Sky Sports, will not have helped his chances of a Test recall.Sam Robson Sam Robson averaged 30.54 in seven Tests for England in 2014 Given the records of those who have followed him, Robson may feel a touch unfortunate to have been dropped from the England side at the end of the summer of 2014 having averaged 30.54 and hit a ton and a half-century against Sri Lanka and India.The 26-year-old struggled on his return to county cricket with Middlesex last summer but began the 2016 season magnificently, making scores of 231 and 106 against Warwickshire at Lords. He has been unable to continue that form in the games that have followed but an international recall should not be ruled out.Mark Stoneman Mark Stoneman has been a consistent performer for Durham in recent years The Durham opener has been a figure of consistency in recent seasons, overcoming seamer-friendly conditions at Chester-le-Street to score over 1,000 first class runs in each of the past three seasons, including a career best 1,131 over the course of the 2015 campaign.Stoneman has also had a superb start to the 2016 season and already looks well on his way to another 1,000-run term. An unbeaten century and two half-centuries in his first four games with an average of 84 will not have gone unnoticed by the selectors - whether it is enough to earn him a place in the squad for the first Test is another matter.Who do you think should open the batting for England in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley? Let us know by commenting below or tweet us @SkyCricket...Then head to Sky Sports News HQ and Sky Sports digital platforms on Thursday morning for first news of Englands Test squad to play Sri Lanka. Also See: Pundits pick England squad WATCH: Skys summer of cricket Sky Ashes coverage wins BAFTA WATCH: Root bowls out Stokes! Khris Middleton Jersey .55 million euros (US$18.6 million) to Spanish tax authorities on Monday to cover any potential irregularities in its signing of Neymar, all the while maintaining its innocence of the fraud charges levied against it. Spencer Hawes Jersey . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/ . The Mariners ace allowed just one hit over eight innings while striking out nine, and Robinson Cano backed him with a two-run homer as Seattle earned a 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. D. J. Wilson Jersey . - Frankie (The Answer) Edgar dominated B. Oscar Robertson Jersey . -- The Vancouver Whitecaps remained unbeaten with a scoreless draw at the New England Revolution on Saturday.TORONTO – Jose Bautista missed his fourth consecutive game with an injured left hamstring when the Blue Jays took the field against the White Sox on Thursday night. He confirmed he wouldnt be able to play on Friday night either. But Bautista is progressing. “Better,” he said. “That is the best way I can describe it. It feels better than when it happened, better than the day after. So theres been a lot of progress. But Im obviously not ready to play, not today.” The first tests of Bautistas hamstring were passed on Monday and Tuesday. “Just to make sure I didnt need to go on the DL,” he said. The next test will be conducted on Saturday morning, hours before the third game of this four-game series. Bautista will run a series of sprints and, if his leg holds up, hell be available to at least pinch hit on the weekend. The Jays havent faced a left-handed starting pitcher since the Cardinals Jaime Garcia on June 8, a span of 17 games. Chicago will send three left-handers to the mound from Friday to Sunday, including most difficult challenges on Saturday (ace Chris Sale: 6-1, 2.27 ERA) and Sunday (Jose Quintana: 4-7, 3.69 ERA). Bautistas right-handed power bat would be especially welcomed. He admitted it can be difficult to remain patient as the hamstring heals. “Its tough because I dont want to handcuff the team by not being available,” said Bautista. “But at the same time I dont think I need the extra week to come back and, after two weeks, you normally would have to get some at-bats somewhere. I just dont want to go through that process because I dont feel like I need it.” In 77 games this season, Bautista is hitting .305/.433/.526 with 15 home runs and 59 walks to 48 strikeouts. He is baseballs leader in on-base percentage (.433) and bases-on-balls. Defensively, Bautistas eight outfield assists place him in a three-way tie for second. BAUTISTA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR ENCARNACION Edwin Encarnacion entered Thursdays action with 24 home runs, making him the major league co-leader with Baltimores Nelson Cruz. He is listed as a designated hitter on the All-Star fan voting ballot and currently sits fourth at the posittion behind Cruz, Bostons David Ortiz and Victor Martinez of the Tigers.dddddddddddd Jose Bautista isnt happy about it. If the fans dont put Encarnacion into the game, Bautista expects the American League manager will. That man: former Jays skipper John Farrell. “How could you not pick the guy who is leading the league in home runs and RBIs?” asked Bautista. “Im surprised still that the fans havent come out and supported him better and hes not leading the votes for his position, but you cant control that as much as you can control a manager picking a player.” Encarnacion captured the imagination of Toronto fans and baseball in general with his 16-home run May. “I think, either way he should make the team,” said Bautista. “It would be a huge disappointment and let-down to all fans if you dont have a guy like Edwin dressed up for that game. No matter if its the other players or the manager picking him.” Bautista is the captain of the American League team for the annual Home Run Derby, which is held the night before the All-Star Game. Players who take part in the derby dont have to be participants in the game. However, Encarnacion has already told Bautista he wants no part of the derby. Bautista is actively recruiting potential derby-mates. He plans to speak to Chicagos rookie slugger, Jose Abreu (23 home runs) at some point this weekend. “I dont want to pick guys that dont want to do it and I dont want to force guys into doing it if they dont really feel like it, if theyre uncomfortable or they have some health issues,” said Bautista. “I want to win this, so Im not going to pick anybody who is going to be reserved in any way when they go and pick up a bat.” TOLLESONS VISION IMPROVING Steve Tolleson replaced Juan Francisco at third base in the seventh inning of Thursdays game against the White Sox, his first action on the homestand. He began suffering from dryness of the eyes and blurred vision on the last road trip. Tolleson made a Thursday visit to a cornea specialist, his fourth trip to an eye doctor in as many days, and came away with the diagnosis of an allergic reaction to contact lenses. ' ' '