PCA PRESS RELEASE
Keaton Jennings recent performances have not gone unnoticed as the opening batsman earns England call-up for the Test Series against Pakistan.
To see more articles. Click here
Lancashire opener Keating Jennings’ impressive start in the domestic MVP Rankings has been rewarded with a recall to the England side for the second NatWest #NoBoundaries Test Match against Pakistan at Emerald Headingley on Friday, replacing Mark Stoneman.
Despite Lancashire’s inconsistent start, the former Durham man has been the hallmark for consistent performances and was sitting fifth in the overall MVP Rankings before his call-up to the international side.
After a slow start to the campaign, the 25-year-old scored 109 against Somerset in the Specsavers County Championship which was followed by another hundred in Lancashire’s defeat of Nottinghamshire.
Jennings then carried on his form in white ball cricket, 136 runs and two wickets against Notts to start the Royal London One-Day Cup with consecutive fifties to follow meant Jennings caught the eye of National Selector Ed Smith.
Jennings, whose last Test was against South Africa in August 2017 is set to partner Alastair Cook at the top of the order and will be looking to recapture his early international career form which saw him hit a century on his debut against India in 2016.
It is a momentous Test Match for Cook who is all set to break the record of most consecutive Test appearances in the history of the game, overtaking Allan Border’s previous record of 153.
The Essex batsman came second in the MVP Rankings from the first Test at Lord’s with a 70 runs in the first innings help him achieve 16.49 points.
Ben Stokes was England’s highest MVP performer in the first Test against Pakistan, but is doubtful for the second Test at Headingley with a hamstring injury.
The all-rounders ability to score runs with the bat and take wickets makes him an integral performer in the MVP Rankings.
An economical bowling performance which saw the Durham-born performer take three wickets during the first innings currently places him top of England’s MVP Rankings.
With Stokes doubtful, Sam Curran has been called up as cover and after impressing for Surrey, the youngster may get the opportunity to be presented with his first England cap and replicate his County Championship form.
Record wicket-taker, James Anderson is currently third in the standings after taking four wickets in the first Test – the most of any England bowler.
Returning to the side, Jos Buttler scored a second innings half-century with debutant Dom Bess to place them 4th and 7th respectively after a difficult time at Lord’s.
Cook and Joe Root also scored half-centuries in the First Test, but will be hopeful of making more of an impact at Headingley.
Captain Root along with Jonny Bairstow return to their home ground for the second Test and will be aiming to bounce back from the defeat in the first Test.
The MVP formula was designed by the players to identify the match-winners and key influencers of matches throughout the domestic and international season.
An innovation which provides a more rigorous analysis of player performances than traditional batting and bowling averages.
To view more information about the MVP Rankings and view the current Overall MVP standings visit the MVP page.
Keep up-to-date with daily MVP news by following the rankings on Twitter.
