Five potential replacements for Alastair Cook

In almost 140 years of Test match cricket, the England team has not had a more prolific run-getter than Alastair Cook. At 33, it may seem a bit too soon to hang up one’s boots, but the simple fact remains that he is a legend. Not just in England cricket folklore, but in the context of world cricket. And nobody can take that away from him.

Most Indian fans would remember the first ever sighting of Alastair Cook. It was the summer of 2006 and the lanky Chef strolled out to open the batting with Andrew Strauss. There was no flair, no flamboyance about the way he went about his batting, but the one aspect of his batting that separated him from the rest was the solidity in defence.

The numbers and the stats are there for all to see. However, it would definitely seem as though the Gentleman Cook has transcended the record-breaking Alastair Cook. Having played for as long as he has, it is almost certain that Cook would indeed give it away.

And now, it would also seem as though the stuffed shirts behind the banners and doldrums of the ECB have a job on their hands. While looking for a replacement for Cook, these five players will certainly be the ones the ECB will have their eye on:

#1) Alex Hales

Somerset v Nottinghamshire Outlaws - Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

Alex Hales is anything but the regular archetypal English cricketer. He is far from the big-bellied, unfit England opener from the mid-1980s. Boasting of immense fitness and ability to strike the ball with ease, it is clear that Hales is a favourite to partner Keaton Jennings atop the order in the all-white for England.

However, the ECB selection committee is rather well-versed in Hales' experiment when it comes to Test cricket. As a matter of fact, Hales has featured in 11 Tests so far for his country. And for the most part, he has let the selectors down with 573 runs in 21 innings. He debuted in the Boxing Day Test match against South Africa in Durban and batted alongside Alastair Cook.

In spite of winning the Test by a rather wide margin, Hales managed just the 10 more Test matches and has not featured in the Test team for over two years. However, given his exploits in the ODI and T20 formats, Hales is quite clearly a frontrunner to partner Jennings once Cook’s career is done and dusted.

#2) Mark Stoneman

Surrey v Nottinghamshire - Specsavers County Championship: Division One

Similar to Alex Hales, Mark Stoneman has not really had much opportunity to make a name for himself when it comes to Test match cricket. His initial days as a top-order batsman brought about some success, especially in the eyes of coach Trevor Bayliss. The latter was impressed on such a level that he admitted to watching Stoneman bat for the first time in England colours.

However, a tremendous start to a promising career was stunted with a few poor performances with the bat. His lack of form coupled with not-so-great technique saw him left out of the five-match Test series against India.

As things stand, Stoneman is currently plying his trade for Surrey and has performed reasonably well with the bat. This includes an impressive 144 and a rather stroke-filled 86 both coming against Notts County.

The solidity with the bat, as far as everyone is concerned is there, but whether he will replace Cook in a rather competitive environment is something one seriously must consider.

#3) Jason Roy

Surrey v Middlesex - Vitality Blast

Everything a modern-day player is supposed to be is exuded in the way Jason Roy plays his cricket. At 28, Roy has more or less cemented his place in the limited-overs squad. Boasting of swashbuckling and explosive batting, Roy has been compared to the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, and perhaps even Sanath Jayasuriya - a tradition he will certainly be proud of.

However, his exploits across both formats have seen Roy selected predominantly only for the limited-overs’ format and not for the longer format - including his domestic side Surrey.

As far as the dossier on Roy would be concerned, the selectors might be tempted to give him a run in the Test side. Especially after witnessing the manner in which the Australians have put David Warner to good use in Tests alongside Cameron Bancroft.

The manner in which Roy is wielding his blade, it would seem clear that he may very well be ready for the ultimate test - Test cricket. And the selectors may well be inclined towards giving him the opening slot, should it come to that.

#4) Ollie Pope

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Four

England cricket's new golden-haired boy, Ollie Pope is one of those cricketers who boasts of batting solidity. At 20, Pope has a good 15 odd years of cricket in him, and the ECB selectors are willing to take their chances when it comes to giving the youngster opportunities to play in the Test match level.

Having made his debut in the recent series against India, Pope has showcased fantastic temperament and is in the mould of a certain Ian Bell.

At the moment, the numbers seem to prove too little to decipher, especially given the fact that he is still in the developmental stages of his career. Although he is not a natural opener, it is clear that he can very well be moulded into one should he be given the opportunity to do so. Needless to say, young Pope has a long and opportunistic career ahead of him.

#5) Haseeb Hameed

Lancashire v Yorkshire Specsavers County Championship

The last opening batsman Lancashire had produced was Mike Atherton. But, when Haseeb Hameed burst onto the scene, the land of milk and honey rejoiced as a 16-year wait had ended when 19-year-old Hameed walked out alongside his skipper Alastair Cook to do battle against the mighty Indians at Rajkot.

What caught the eye of many was the manner in which Hammed batted in the second innings, something that showcased immense character and patience. This also reinforced in the minds of the selectors that he was the one to carry the baton of opening the batting for England in the years to come.

Hameed’s character was there for all to see in Mohali when he came out to bat with a broken finger. Although the Brits failed to save the Test, Hameed caught the eye of one and all including Indian skipper Virat Kohli who went on to have an interaction with him before he boarded the flight back home.

At the moment, it would seem as though the youngster is the frontrunner to replace Cook. However, Hameed does indeed have a long way to go in terms of his cricketing career.