Wednesday 18 May 2016 11:23, UK
Sir Ian Botham says James Vince must play for England in Thursday's first Investec Test against Sri Lanka.
The Hampshire captain is in line to make his long-awaited Test debut at Headingley having staked his claim with some excellent performances in England's Lions and one-day squads.
Vince bats at No 3 for his county, a position currently held in the England side by Middlesex's Nick Compton, but could come straight in at No 5 following James Taylor's early retirement.
The 25-year-old caught the eye with a brilliant century against Yorkshire at Leeds two weeks ago and Botham believes he could get his chance in his preferred position of first wicket down.
"Vince must play, and could bat at three but it depends on how they (the selectors) want to go and if they stick with Compton," said Botham. "He's been knocking on the door for a while, he's been in great form and deserves his chance.
"I'd bat him at three, Joe Root at four and Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes at five and six, but they may place trust in their bowlers and decide to go for an extra batsman, we'll just have to see."
The England legend does not expect a repeat of Sri Lanka's series win against England two years ago and is tipping Alastair Cook's side to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.
Botham added: "England should win the series comfortably. They played well in the winter and should be far too strong for this inexperienced Sri Lanka side.
"The weather could have a say, I know rain is forecast for Headingley, but I still think they will win 3-0."
Captain Cook heads into the match 36 runs shy of becoming the first Englishman to score 10,000 Test runs and Botham is confident the in-form opener will achieve the landmark early in the series.
"He'll get there and can go on and get another 3,000 Test runs, it just depends how long he wants to keep going," added Botham, who has picked Cook at 9/4 to be England's leading run scorer in the series, one of his Beefy's Bets.
The former England skipper is also putting his money behind England's record-breaking bowler Jimmy Anderson to be England's top wicket-taker in both the first Test and the Series at 9/4 and 5/2 respectively with Sky Bet.
"Jimmy has been bowling really well for Lancashire. He's played more matches than the other bowlers, he's fit and is the man to follow," he added.
Watch England and Sri Lanka's first Investec Test, at Headingley, from 10am, Thursday, Sky Sports 2. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
