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It is coming up to four years since the retirement of Andrew Strauss, but heading into the Test series with Sri Lanka, England are still searching for a dependable long-term opening partner for Alastair Cook. Houston Astros T-shirts . Many have been given the opportunity to prove themselves at the top of the order - Joe Root, Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and Moeen Ali to name but a few - but no one has done enough to make the spot their own.Here we look at five of the potential options to join Cook in the middle when England begin their first innings at Headingley later this month… Alex Hales Hales scored just 136 runs in eight innings for England in South Africa The Nottinghamshire batsman is the man in possession having opened up with Cook during Englands series victory over South Africa during the winter. However, Hales struggled to make an impact, making only one half-century as he managed just 136 runs at an average of 17 in eight innings.Yet having shown his class for England in limited overs cricket, the 27-year-old may well be given the chance to prove himself on home soil in the longest form of the game.Hales was certainly in good touch for Notts last summer, hitting three centuries and two fifties with an average just shy of 50, while his 73 against Middlesex on Sunday could prove very timely.Nick Browne Nick Browne is believed to be among those being considered by England The only player in our list plying his trade in Division Two, Browne has the advantage of having opened the batting with Cook for Essex on a number of occasions. Since making his first-class debut in 2013, the left-hander has scored over 4,000 runs with an average just over 41.At 25, Browne has time on his side and the potential to become a mainstay in the side for years to come. Although, after scoring 1,157 championship runs last summer, he has struggled so far in 2016.There have been two half-centuries but there have also been a number of low scores. An untimely dip in form could see him miss out, though he will be familiar with the Sri Lanka attack from Essexs ongoing match against Angelo Mathews men.Adam Lyth Adam Lyth started the season with a century for Yorkshrie Having been drafted into the England squad at the beginning of last summer, Lyth lasted just seven matches - two against New Zealand and five Ashes games - having scored just 265 runs in 13 innings. The Yorkshireman did manage a Test century in the second Test against the Kiwis but was found wanting outside his off stump by the Australians.He has received backing from one former Aussie bowler, though, in the form of Jason Gillespie, his coach at Yorkshire, who believes Lyth is good enough to thrive at Test level. A century in his first County Championship game of the new season showed his undoubted talent but scores of nought and four in the recent clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, live on Sky Sports, will not have helped his chances of a Test recall.Sam Robson Sam Robson averaged 30.54 in seven Tests for England in 2014 Given the records of those who have followed him, Robson may feel a touch unfortunate to have been dropped from the England side at the end of the summer of 2014 having averaged 30.54 and hit a ton and a half-century against Sri Lanka and India.The 26-year-old struggled on his return to county cricket with Middlesex last summer but began the 2016 season magnificently, making scores of 231 and 106 against Warwickshire at Lords. He has been unable to continue that form in the games that have followed but an international recall should not be ruled out.Mark Stoneman Mark Stoneman has been a consistent performer for Durham in recent years The Durham opener has been a figure of consistency in recent seasons, overcoming seamer-friendly conditions at Chester-le-Street to score over 1,000 first class runs in each of the past three seasons, including a career best 1,131 over the course of the 2015 campaign.Stoneman has also had a superb start to the 2016 season and already looks well on his way to another 1,000-run term. An unbeaten century and two half-centuries in his first four games with an average of 84 will not have gone unnoticed by the selectors - whether it is enough to earn him a place in the squad for the first Test is another matter.Who do you think should open the batting for England in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley? Let us know by commenting below or tweet us @SkyCricket...Then head to Sky Sports News HQ and Sky Sports digital platforms on Thursday morning for first news of Englands Test squad to play Sri Lanka. Also See: Pundits pick England squad WATCH: Skys summer of cricket Sky Ashes coverage wins BAFTA WATCH: Root bowls out Stokes! Jose Cruz Jr. Jersey .ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan. Carlos Correa Jersey .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No.Former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield reckons Saturdays First Utility Super League Grand Final between Warrington and Wigan is too close to call. Sinfield, who tasted Grand Final success seven times, has predicted a tight battle at Old Trafford as both teams will have additional motivation to lift the trophy.Warrington, who topped the table at the end of the regular Super League season, have not been crowned champions since 1955, while Wigan have lost out to St Helens and Leeds in rugby leagues showpiece in the last two seasons. Sinfield told Sky Sports News HQ: Its interesting looking at both these teams on Saturday because they have both got a cause. They have both got a story thats behind them. Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield is asked to predict the winner between Warrington and Wigan in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford Warrington, given they have not won this competition since 1955, theres a story, but they also got beat off Wigan in their last Grand Final appearance in 2013, whereas if you look at Wigan they are trying to stop a third successive defeat on Saturday. Grand Final: Key battles We look at three key battles of the Grand Final between Warrington and Wigan, live on Sky Sports So not only do you want to lift the trophy to feel what it is like to lift that after 11 months of hard work, but they also want to do it for a cause, and I think its really important. Kevin Sinfield was a Grand Final winner on seven occasions Sinfield also expects the Wolves, under Tony Smith, and the Warriors, under Shaun Wane, to be well prepared for the challenge. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. He added: Tony is great at keeping his pllayers relaxed, he will have complete control. Doug Fister Astros Jersey. They will know exactly what they are doing and their preparation this week will have been second to none.I just think they are ready. Some of the players that they have available, attacking-wise, they are the best team in the competition - it makes for a real serious challenge on Saturday. Warrington beat St Helens 18-10 in a fast and furious semi-final to become the first team through to the Grand Final I think Shaun Wane will have ticked as many boxes as he can this week - his team will be prepared and ready.Thats why it is very difficult to pick a winner because both teams have got a cause, both teams have got some players who are in top form and the game is very close to a sell-out, so it will be a terrific occasion. Highlights of the Super League semi-final between Wigan Warriors and Hull FC I think the winner, their name with start with a W! You can watch the Super League Grand Final, Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! 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