Hussain: Give Jennings another go
Former captain Nasser Hussain has all but implored England to retain opening batsman Keaton Jennings for the fourth Test against India, which will start in Southampton on Thursday.
Jennings has managed a mere 94 runs from his last five Test innings – and is averaging just 23.16 after 10 matches.
“Keaton is now getting out in exactly the same way as he did in the first stage of his career,” Hussain wrote in a Sky Sports column.
“Personally, I’d give Jennings another go at the Ageas Bowl; five Test matches ago he was good enough to come back in and, being ‘old-school’, I would rather give a player one game too many than one too few.
“If the selectors drop Jennings twice in as many years, he’ll find it very difficult to come back again.”
Batsman James Vince has been recalled, as wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow’s recovery from a finger injury continues.
Vince was dropped after the series against New Zealand earlier this year – and his recall has come as a surprise to some.
Somewhere deep inside James Vince, there is an international Test match batsman,” added Hussain.
“There’s no doubt he’s an eye-catching, fluent player who has done exactly what the selectors have asked of him of late – which is go back to county cricket and score runs.
“He has been very pleasing on the eye in his 13 Tests, too, where he has looked like an international cricketer.”
All-rounder Moeen Ali is in the squad, too, but unlikely to feature in the playing XI despite scoring a double-century and taking an eight-for for Worcestershire in the County Championship this week.
“Like Vince, Moeen has gone away and done everything asked of him. In England, Moeen Ali is a very, very good cricketer and has hardly ever let England done at home,” concluded Hussain.
“He was in the last two squads that were picked and I hope someone doesn’t come in and jump above him in the queue.”
England boast a two-one lead in the five-match series, after wins at Edgbaston and Lord’s – and defeat at Trent Bridge.
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