ENGLAND’S openers might be causing head coach Peter Moores a headache but one man who knows all about the role, Mark Butcher, believes Durham’s Mark Stoneman could be the perfect tonic.

For the last two LV= County Championship campaigns, Stoneman has passed 1,000 First-Class runs for Durham, last year helping himself to 1,021 at an average of 35.

However, this form was not enough to see him get the nod for England’s three-Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean.

Instead, a returning Jonathan Trott and Adam Lyth – who top-scored with 1,619 First-Class runs for Division One champions Yorkshire last year at an average of 70 – have been handed plane tickets.

Both are in with a shout of opening alongside captain Alastair Cook in a fortnight’s time, but with Trott shining at number three and Lyth untested on the international stage, former England opener Butcher is adamant Stoneman is still in with a shout of international recognition.

“I would like to see an opener at the top of the order alongside Cook for England and I like the look of Mark Stoneman up at Durham – he’s a good player,” he said.

“He’s got to earn an opportunity but if there is a vacancy at the top of the England order, then there’s a guy who can play.

“He’s probably behind Lyth now and maybe Trott but it’s about taking your opportunities. If Alastair Cook were to get a hamstring injury or something, it’s about nailing it down.

“If the team aren’t doing well then you might not get a chance to bed yourself in – you might have to go straight in, get runs and batter off the competition.”

While Stoneman missed out, Durham teammate Mark Wood did get the call, the fast bowler one of three uncapped players in England’s touring party.

And Butcher admits he is champing at the bit to see what Wood can do out in the Caribbean.

“I like Mark Wood up there as well – Durham always seem to be able to find fast bowlers all over the place,” he added.

“He’s another one who generates good pace and it will be interesting to see how he does if he gets an opportunity over in the West Indies because they are not the quickest pitches any more.

“You have to be able to bend your back or do something with the ball but he deserved the call. If you put in big performances, you will get recognised.”

Keep up to date with the LV= County Championship this season with Mark Butcher’s weekly match previews and highlights of every game. Visit ecb.co.uk/lvcc to discover where Test stars are made.