Former captain Michael Vaughan has urged England to prepare for this summer's Ashes series by dropping Jonathan Trott for Adam Lyth at the top of the order.
Vaughan, who led England to their first Ashes triumph in 18 years in 2005, cannot see Trott opening the batting against Australia following his unconvincing displays in the first two Tests against the West Indies.
On his return to international cricket - before this series Trott had not played for England since leaving the 2013-14 Ashes tour Down Under with a stress-related illness - the 34-year-old has scored 63 runs in four innings.
England coach Peter Moores has suggested that Trott will retain his place for the final Test against the Windies in Barbados, but Vaughan would like to see Yorkshire's Lyth, last season's Professional Cricketers' Association Player of the Year, given a run in the side with the long term in mind.
"I thought risking Trott at the top of the order was the right kind of risk as you want that style of player back in your team and the only available slot was as an opener," he told Sky Sports News."But I think he is too frantic and, unless he can change that, I don't see him walking out at Cardiff in July to open in the Ashes against Australia.
"I know it's only one step up from three to two but it is a completely different concept - you have to set the tone and send a calmness back with your method and technique, something he hasn't done in his four innings as an opener.
"I would like to see Lyth given an opportunity now as we are only three Tests away from Australia and England have got to get that opening partnership right."
Trott has scored 3,826 Test runs at an average of 45.01, but almost exclusively batting at number three.
Joe Fish
