1 2 3 6 4 5 1 Adam Lyth The Yorkshire opener can do no more than he did in 2014 when he piled on 1,489 first-class runs at nearly 68 to help Yorkshire to their first County Championship title since 2001. Especially good on the back foot, the left-hander is the prime contender to partner captain Alastair Cook in England’s next Test series in the West Indies. In 23 Championship innings last summer he managed six fifties and six centuries and is also a fantastic slip catcher. 2 Alex Lees Lyth’s partner in crime at the top of the order enjoyed his breakthrough year to earn himself a spot on the Lions tour to South Africa. The Halifax-born left- hander’s 971 runs in the County Championship, coupled with his excellent temperament, means that the 21-year-old is highly regarded. He also plundered 368 runs in the Royal London Cup. 3 James Vince Often compared to Michael Vaughan due to his graceful and expansive style, the Hampshire T20 skipper enjoyed his best season in 2014 where he smashed 1,525 first- class runs to engineer Hampshire’s promotion back to Division One. In the T20 quarter-final win over Nottinghamshire the 23-year-old thumped 93 not out off just 51 balls before a majestic unbeaten 152 to save the game against South Africa A in January for England Lions. 4 Sam Hain A former Australia Under-19 international at the age of just 16, the Warwickshire teenager has pledged his future to England after being spotted playing in Edinburgh on an exchange trip. He has already made a huge impact since making his debut last May, hitting his maiden century in just his fifth first-class innings before hitting 208 against Northamptonshire in September. He’s already been compared to county colleague Jonathan Trott in his way of accumulating runs through the legside. 5 James Hildreth A consistently good player for Somerset ever since his debut in 2003, the middle-order batsman has racked up nearly 20,000 runs for the Cidermen. Elegant in his strokeplay and a brilliant fielder, the last two seasons have been average by his standards, but with a lack of top-class experienced batsmen around, a return to the 2010–11 form that saw him average 65.45 could see him given an opportunity. 6 Sam Billings Another one off the Kent wicketkeeping production line, Billings is particularly unlucky that Jos Buttler has come along at the same time. Since taking over the keeping spot from Geraint Jones at the start of last season, England possibles Picking an XI who should, or could, play for England is an age-old pastime. David Sillifant adds his selection – all uncapped - to the melting pot OPENERS TheXI BILLINGS IS PARTICULARLY UNLUCKY THAT JOS BUTTLER HAS COME ALONG AT THE SAME TIME GETTY IMAGES 24 / thecricketer.com

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1 Adam LythThe Yorkshire opener can do no more than he did in 2014 when

he piled on 1,489 first-class runs at nearly 68 to help Yorkshire to their first County Championship title since 2001. Especially good on the back foot, the left-hander is the prime contender to partner captain Alastair Cook in England’s next Test series in the West Indies. In 23 Championship innings last summer he managed six fifties and six centuries and is also a fantastic slip catcher.

2 Alex LeesLyth’s partner in crime at the top of the order enjoyed his

breakthrough year to earn himself a spot on the Lions tour to South Africa. The Halifax-born left-hander’s 971 runs in the County Championship, coupled with his excellent temperament, means that the 21-year-old is highly regarded. He also plundered 368 runs in the Royal London Cup.

3 James VinceOften compared to Michael Vaughan due to his graceful and

expansive style, the Hampshire T20 skipper enjoyed his best season in 2014 where he smashed 1,525 first-class runs to engineer Hampshire’s promotion back to Division One. In the T20 quarter-final win over Nottinghamshire the 23-year-old thumped 93 not out off just 51 balls before a majestic unbeaten 152 to save the game against South Africa A in January for England Lions.

4 Sam HainA former Australia Under-19 international at the age of just

16, the Warwickshire teenager has pledged his future to England after being spotted playing in Edinburgh on an exchange trip. He has already made a huge impact since making his debut last May, hitting his maiden century in just his fifth first-class innings before hitting 208 against Northamptonshire in September. He’s already been

compared to county colleague Jonathan Trott in his way of accumulating runs through the legside.

5 James HildrethA consistently good player for Somerset ever since his debut

in 2003, the middle-order batsman has racked up nearly 20,000 runs for the Cidermen. Elegant in his strokeplay and a brilliant fielder, the last two seasons have been average by his standards, but with a lack of top-class experienced batsmen around, a return to the 2010–11 form that saw him average 65.45 could see him given an opportunity.

6 Sam BillingsAnother one off the Kent wicketkeeping production line,

Billings is particularly unlucky that Jos Buttler has come along at the same time. Since taking over the keeping spot from Geraint Jones at the start of last season,

England possiblesPicking an XI who should, or could, play for England is an age-old pastime. David Sillifant adds his selection – all uncapped - to the melting pot

Openers

TheXI

billings is particularly unlucky that jOs buttler has cOme alOng at the same time

get

ty im

ages

24 / thecricketer.com