Alastair Cook's discarded dozen

May 31, 2018: He is going through a bit of a rough patch, but the men opening with him have done far worse

England's top-order woes

From Nick Compton to Mark Stoneman: England's opening merry-go-round

May 30, 2018: It has been nearly six years since England had a long-term stable opening partnership in Test cricket

Pakistan in England 2018

Keaton Jennings back in England's Test squad for Headingley at Mark Stoneman's expense

May 28, 2018: Mark Stoneman, who failed twice at Lord's and hasn't passed 60 in 11 Test matches, has been left out

England news

Jos Buttler, Dom Bess earn England calls; James Vince dropped

May 15, 2018: Ed Smith's first squad as national selector includes a couple of big calls

England news

What's in Ed Smith's inbox?

Apr 20, 2018: England's new national selector has the challenge of trying to solve long-standing issues with the Test side

England news

Bayliss wants greater competition for batting spots

Apr 4, 2018: England's head coach has hinted that the batting line-up is unlikely to change much for the series against Pakistan in May, despite few of the issues being resolved over the winter

New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Christchurch

Vince, Stoneman and the story of their mixed results

Apr 1, 2018: Although they couldn't convert their half-centuries, James Vince and Mark Stoneman have probably done enough to feature in the home Tests against Pakistan

New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Christchurch, 3rd day

Vince, Stoneman build strong England position

Apr 1, 2018: James Vince and Mark Stoneman produced valuable fifties to build on England's hard-earned advantage at Christchurch

New Zealand v England, 1st Test, Auckland, 4th day

Boult leaves NZ with seven wickets to get on final day

Mar 25, 2018: Henry Nicholls' unbeaten 145 set up New Zealand's declaration with a 369-run lead, but Mark Stoneman and Joe Root led England's fight late on the fourth day

England in New Zealand 2017-18

Cook hopes to banish dark times under Auckland's lights

Mar 17, 2018: Alastair Cook knows that he still has much to prove at the top of England's order despite a memorable double-century in Melbourne

New Zealand XI v England XI, Tour match, Hamilton

England lose 14 wickets in a day, but Livingstone shines

Mar 15, 2018: The second day of England's two days with the pink ball in Hamilton did not go that well for the batsmen. England lost 14 wickets in the day and were still unable to match the New Zealand XI total

England in New Zealand 2017-18

'I've shown glimpses but that's been the problem' - Stoneman

Mar 12, 2018: Although the England opener has shown glimpses of promise in his eight Tests so far, he averages only 27.07. He knows the only way to retain his place is to score big in New Zealand

England in New Zealand 2017-18

Vince, Stoneman deserve another chance - Bayliss

Jan 9, 2018: England head coach backs under-fire duo to come good on the tour of New Zealand, after torrid Ashes campaign

The Ashes 2017-18

Moeen's horror, Broad's toil, and Malan's silver lining

Jan 8, 2018: It was another bruising Ashes campaign down under for England who had moments in each of the five Tests they couldn't take advantage of. Have any players left with enhanced reputations and who is looking over their shoulder?

The Ashes 2017-18

Last chance for Vince and Stoneman to impress

Jan 2, 2018: As the selectors look to blood younger players and give them a long lead-in to the next Ashes series, there is pressure on James Vince and Mark Stoneman to step up in Sydney

Debutant of the year

Tomorrow people

2018: Spinners of various stripes, a wicketkeeper-batsman and others grace our shortlist

The Ashes 2017-18

Ferocity of Ashes gives Stoneman "different take" on Australians

Dec 20, 2017: Mark Stoneman has shown impressive guts and determination in the Ashes but admitted he had not before faced attack with such sustained hostility as the Australians

Australia v England, 3rd Test, Perth, 1st day

Stoneman's courage lays base for Malan's milestone

Dec 14, 2017: There was plenty of short stuff for England to face on the opening day at the WACA and two of the team's least experienced Test batsmen showed contrasting ways to repel it

Australia v England, 3rd Test, Perth, 1st day

Stoneman's WACA barrage and controversial end

Dec 14, 2017: Mark Stoneman was given a taste of the WACA of old during his half-century on the opening day before a controversial end to his innings.

Australia v England, 3rd Test, Ashes 2017-18, Perth

Malan's maiden hundred caps strong England day

Dec 14, 2017: An unbroken 174-run stand between Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow allowed England to enjoy a strong start to the pivotal third Test