Jostling for England places has begun in earnest as the 2014 county season rumbles on. Some have had a good spring, some have not – and here are five who could see their good county form translate into good England form.
Alastair Cook
Cook needs plenty of runs this summer for many reasons. Firstly, his own form has dropped off since the three centuries in India in 2012 helped seal that series triumph. Secondly, if he scores runs it will put less pressure on his captaincy which has started to look more and more fragile. And finally, if someone picks up the slack left by Kevin Pietersen his absence will be felt less keenly. Essentially, he needs a bucket-load of runs against Sri Lanka and India.
And he’s started 2014 in great fashion. 481 runs in six innings has launched Essex’s campaign with a win and a rain-affected draw. The two tons have been big too – 127 and 181. The dearth of ‘daddy tons’ from the England set-up of late could be over if captain Cook gets his house in order.
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