Cook opens up on new batting partner

It's Test cricket's equivalent of a lonely hearts advert: experienced opener seeks partner for meaningful relationship.

Since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012, England captain Alastair Cook has had six partners at the top of the order.

This season Adam Lyth joined Nick Compton, Joe Root, Michael Carberry, Sam Robson and Jonathan Trott as those who have walked out alongside the skipper.

Compton's nine appearances are the most of any of the sextet, although Root has flourished since he dropped down to the middle order and is now the No.3 ranked Test batsman in the world.

Lyth made a Test hundred against New Zealand at Headingley at the start of the English summer, but averaged 12.77 during the Ashes.

Lyth's disappointing returns against Australia mean his place is now under threat ahead of October's three Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

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Lyth and Cook walk out to bat at The Oval // Getty Images

Allrounder Moeen Ali has been touted as a possible replacement for Lyth, a move that would allow England to play two spinners on pitches known to aid turn.

Quick Single: 'Turn Moeen into an opener'

But with a tour of South Africa to follow the Pakistan series, England will need a batsman capable of handling the speed and swing of Proteas pace trio Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. 

"That is a really interesting decision the selectors have to make," Cook told BBC Radio Five on Monday.

"I think there's a selection meeting in the next 10 days.

"The conditions in Abu Dhabi will be different to what we have just played in here where it nipped all over. I'd love someone to jump out and nail that slot.

"Adam didn't quite score the amount of runs he'd liked to have done (this season) but he played a major part in the side - he was a brilliant catcher.

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Alex Hales has been in good form at county level // Getty Images

"He's obviously scored a lot of runs for Yorkshire over the last couple of years and he's gone in his first seven Test matches and found it tough against two very good attacks, and yet he's scored a hundred in one of them.

"The selectors have tough calls. They have made some big calls in the summer and were proved right."

Another option is Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales, who is a regular in England's limited overs sides but is yet to make his Test debut.

The powerful 26-year-old is the fifth highest run-scorer in county cricket this season, averaging more than 50 and impressive with scores of 236 against Yorkshire and 189 against Warwickshire.

Hampshire's Carberry and Middlesex's Compton are two other openers who have performed well in domestic cricket this season.