Trescothick backs flexible England batting order as Fleming takes over

Marcus Trescothick has said England can consider a Test batting line-up without a specialist opener as he hands responsibility for the team to Stephen Fleming. According to BBC Sport, the interim coach favours selecting the strongest batting group and adapting its order, with Jacob Bethell’s expected return from a knee injury creating a selection decision for December’s tour of South Africa.

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Trescothick led England during their 3-0 series victory over Pakistan. Fleming, appointed Test coach in July, missed that series and is due in the UK in the coming days for discussions with England’s leadership and to begin planning for South Africa. The handover follows a summer in which several batters have established cases for selection without settling the question of who should open.

Emilio Gay partnered Ben Duckett in his first Test summer, making three half-centuries but finishing with an average below 25. Duckett scored England’s only century of the summer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June. However, he failed to reach 20 during the three-match Pakistan series and has averaged less than 24 since the start of the Ashes, BBC Sport reported.

Jordan Cox, who replaced Bethell at number three, averaged more than 42 after making his Test debut this summer. He also has experience opening in first-class cricket earlier in his career. Bethell has moved to the top of England’s one-day order, while Dan Lawrence offers off-spin alongside his batting. Bethell’s return would give England another bowling option through his left-arm spin, as well as requiring a decision about the batting places.

Trescothick, himself a former Test opener, said players’ movement between formats makes them capable of adapting to different roles. He did not identify a preferred combination, leaving that decision to the incoming management. His own position also remains unresolved: he told BBC Sport he had no clarity about his future role, having worked as an assistant across Test and white-ball cricket.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pietersen has been appointed a consultant to England’s white-ball team, which remains under Brendon McCullum. Pietersen’s first day back in the set-up is Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s opening T20 against Sri Lanka in Southampton. Trescothick said they had already discussed areas where he wanted Pietersen’s advice, describing the former England batter as enthusiastic about returning and contributing his batting knowledge.