Rory Burns is similar to Alastair Cook, feels Ben Stokes

The opening position has been a puzzle and a struggle for the selectors, as they have tried and tested out many players before picking the Surrey batsman Rory Burns. Burns, since making his debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2018, has become the mainstay opener in the current English setup. Further, he was also talked about as a captain in case the selectors decide to do away with Joe Root as the skipper. 

After passing the test in Sri Lanka, the opener had a massive role to play in England’s home Ashes, against a quality bowling attack. In the opening game of the Ashes, Burns managed to weather the early storm and eventually got to the three figures in the game. Further, his performance in the series was commendable, as he piled up 390 runs in the five games averaging 39 in the series. 

England vice-captain Ben Stokes had nothing but words of praise for the opener who, with every passing day, seems to be growing into a world-class opener.

“We have found a gem in Rory Burns. He is going to have a long future,” Stokes told talkSPORT radio on Tuesday. 

“When we first saw him train with us in Sri Lanka, although he didn’t get off to a great start and get the big runs, there was something about him that you could say, ‘yes, he is a Test match opening batsman".

Following his excellent display in the homes Ashes series, Burns continued his merry run in the recently concluded New Zealand series where he averaged above 60. “He has got everything there to be a very successful opener for England over a long period of time,” concluded Stokes. 

The first Test between South Africa and England will commence from December 26 at the Supersport Park in Centurion.