Adam Lyth scored 1489 runs at an average of 68 in the county championship last summer. His partnership with Alex Lees was prolific. But can one of the stars of 2014 force his way into England’s Ashes plans?
Waiting For An Opportunity
England have tried, but failed, to find a solid opener partner for skipper Alastair Cook since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012 and they need one if they pull off an Ashes win. Despite scoring a test century last summer, England decided to move on from Middlesex’s Sam Robson. Instead they selected Lyth and veteran Jonathan Trott in their squad for the West Indies – the first challenge of what could be a testing year for English cricket.
As a known quantity with nine test centuries under his belt, the management gave Trott the opportunity to open with Cook in the first test. Although this is understandable, the decision has been criticised by a number of supporters – not least those east of The Pennines who know what Lyth brings to the table.
Trott hasn’t played for England since leaving the ill fated Ashes tour of 2013 with a ‘stress related’ illness (although he subsequently claimed it was just burn out). What’s more, at 33 years of age the Warwickshire man is hardly the future.
Critics have also complained that Trott isn’t actually a specialist opener: he often bats at four for Warwickshire and has played almost exclusively as a number three in his 49 tests. Why play someone out of position?
With Trott in the side, England’s top order has a rather stodgy feel to it. Neither Cook, Trott, nor the current number three Gary Ballance, are known for scoring quickly. Lyth’s supporters claim the Yorkshireman’s dashing style would be a nice contrast and raise the tempo somewhat.
Lyth’s aspirations, however, are currently buried under the weight of England’s managerial conservatism. With Trott is pole position to score runs against a weakened West Indies team, it could be some time before Lyth gets his chance.
Thinking the Unthinkable
Having scored heavily in domestic cricket, Lyth might wonder what more he can do. He might also look at little enviously at Alastair Cook who, at the time of writing, hasn’t scored an international hundred for almost two years. When you’re eagerly awaiting a single opportunity, it’s frustrating when favourite sons are given infinite chances.
The winds of change, however, are blowing through the corridors of power at the ECB. Paul Downton, the managing director of English cricket, was recently dismissed; there’s also a new chief executive officer, Tom Harrison, in place.
What’s more a new ECB chairman, Colin Graves, will be in place next month. As a Yorkshireman, Graves knows all about Lyth’s qualities. Perhaps Alastair Cook won’t be so untouchable under the new regime? Lyth might yet end up replacing the skipper.
A New Generation Calling?
At 27 years of age, Adam Lyth is mature enough to succeed immediately at test level. He’s served his apprenticeship in county cricket yet he’s still young enough to enjoy a prolonged international career should he get his chance.
Is he talented enough? Only time will tell. His career’s had its ups and downs, but fifteen first class hundreds at an average of 43 suggests Lyth has plenty to offer.
The problem for Lyth is whether he’ll have a chance to establish himself before the Ashes. If Cook and Trott struggle for runs in the West Indies, but the selectors persist with them against New Zealand in May, the left hander could make his debut against the mighty Aussies. What a baptism of fire that would be.
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