Photo via BBC Sport

Opener may not have to be specialist - Trescothick

Interim England coach Marcus Trescothick suggests the Test side may bypass traditional opening specialists to field their strongest overall batting lineup upon Jacob Bethell's return from a knee problem for December's South African tour. Selection dilemmas loom after Emilio Gay averaged under 25 across his maiden international summer despite three fifties, while fellow opener Ben Duckett recorded England's lone home century in June against New Zealand but failed to pass 20 in the Pakistan series, dropping his post-Ashes average below 24.

Meanwhile, replacement number three Jordan Cox impressed by averaging upwards of 42—drawing on his past experience opening in first-class matches—while Bethell himself has begun opening in one-day cricket, and Dan Lawrence remains in contention due to his off-spin capabilities alongside Bethell's left-arm option.

Trescothick, who helped secure the 2005 Ashes during a 76-cap career that concluded in 2006, now passes leadership duties to newly appointed Test coach Stephen Fleming following a 3-0 sweep of Pakistan. The incoming New Zealander—hired in July—is scheduled to land in the United Kingdom for administrative talks, monitor the white-ball squad managed by Brendon McCullum against Sri Lanka, and potentially observe county matches.

A reshuffle of the shared backroom staff appears probable after Australian Mike Hussey reportedly turned down Fleming's coaching approach, leaving the 50-year-old Trescothick uncertain about his own future involvement.