Wednesday 27 January 2016 09:42, UK
Sir Ian Botham hailed England's performance in their Test series win over South Africa as 'magnificent' and thinks they should stick with Alex Hales at the top of the order.
Alastair Cook's side collapsed to 101 all out on the final morning of the fourth Test to lose by 280 runs, but Botham insists the focus should be on how well the team played in the series as a whole.
The former England all-rounder conceded that there were still issues with England's top order but argued there is enough competition for places to enable them to find the right solutions.
"I wouldn't rush to drop Alex Hales out, I'd like to see how he goes in the one-dayers," said Botham.
"I think three is a problem and now I suppose five is looking like a problem. There's an opportunity, the development team are here, and there is a great opportunity to make an impression and to start banging on the door for that Test berth.
"They'll be a few: Jason Roy should be thinking that way, James Vince at No3, that's where he bats, so there is a lot of competition in this set-up which is good and it's healthy."
Botham refused to criticise England after their adventurous approach saw them lose seven wickets for 43 runs as they slumped to defeat in the fourth Test in Centurion, preferring to praise their efforts in wrapping up the series win with a game to spare.
"I'm not taking anything away from this England side, you can badger me all day long, I'm not budging," he added.
"They won over here, not many people in the UK gave them any chance over here but I backed them, I actually said 3-1. Unfortunately that game was drawn in Cape Town.
"I think England have been magnificent in this series and I'd pat them on the back and say 'a great effort, lads.' To win in South Africa is a tough, tough task.
"Everyone talks about the wicket and if you try to just stay there and block, you'll get out, they'll be a ball that has your name on it. The lads went out there and they were going to try and be positive, they felt it was their best chance.
"Forget this game, think about what they've done this series - I think they've been magnificent. They have shown that they are a very good emerging side and within 12 to 18 months could easily be No 1 in the world."
