'Worst ever': Fleming slams England batting

Former Australia Test quick Damien Fleming has issued a withering assessment of England's current Test batting group, saying it includes "some of the worst batsmen I've ever seen play Test cricket".

England head into next week's Test series with a number of question marks over their top six, after recent additions Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley and Dawid Malan all failed to cement places in the hosts' 3-1 series success over South Africa. 

Jennings debuted with a century against India last December, but looked all at sea against a strong South African pace attack in England, while Westley (122 runs at 30.50) and Malan (35 at 8.75) were both selected for the final two Tests, with the former's composed second-innings 59 the only highlight. 

Coach Trevor Bayliss said the nature of the triumph over the Proteas didn't "paper over the cracks" in terms of England's batting issues, with some key decisions to be made ahead of this summer's Ashes in Australia. 

Opener Alastair Cook, captain Joe Root and allrounder Ben Stokes are locked into the top six, with the other three positions still waiting for players to stake emphatic claims. 

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"England needs three (more) decent batsmen in their top six," Fleming said on RSN radio. 

"Watching the South African series, they're some of the worst batsmen I've ever seen play Test cricket.

"(With) young Jennings the debate is, 'Does he get another opportunity?' He scored 127 runs at an average of 15. I used to bat nine in Test matches and I would just be happy with that, averaging 15. Just be happy; he's opening the batting.

"I don't like his technique, (with that) closed grip, he's going to nick people that can angle the ball across him and for bowlers that can actually get the ball to shape back in, that gap between bat and front pad (is exposed). This is an opening batsman.

"Westley has a similar technique. He is squared up, he has hands that are a long way in front of his body with a closed grip. How does he hit the ball through the off side? He's going to nick off or get in trouble with the ball that comes in.

"Where are 80 per cent of the deliveries going to be to Jennings and Westley? Outside off stump, maybe shaping away. They don't have a technique to cope with that.

"Young Malan, 35 runs at an average of eight … there are real opportunities for Australia to run through the top order."

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England limited-overs batsman Alex Hales is pushing for Test selection for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies after a stunning double century for Notts earlier this week, while Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance could also come back into the reckoning after recovering from a broken finger, despite being under pressure to keep his place in the side with poor returns in the first two Tests against the Proteas. 

Fleming was scathing in his assessment of Ballance as well, after the 27-year-old was dropped during the 2015 Ashes following scores of 61, 0, 23 and 14 in the first two Tests. 

"How did Gary Ballance play Test cricket again after that last series two years ago there?" Fleming questioned. 

"He goes back in the crease (and) he blocks half-volleys, so he doesn't hurt you.

"If you're getting your half-volleys blocked you know it's only a matter of time before he nicks one or gets caught on the crease and (is) lbw."

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