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. 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! Wholesale Adidas NHL Jerseys . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Wholesale NFL Jerseys From China . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. http://www.chinacheapjerseyswholesale.com/ . 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CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Addison Russell had a two-run single to key a five-run sixth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Friday in a matchup of slumping division leaders.The Cubs returned from the All-Star break to win for the seventh time in 22 games, while the Rangers lost their eighth in 10 games thanks to a rough sixth that included Prince Fielders throwing error in a rare start at first base.Hendricks (8-6), a former Rangers draft pick, lowered his team-best ERA to 2.41. He allowed three hits in six innings.Russells bases-loaded hit in the sixth was followed by pinch-hitter Matt Szczurs two-run single against Martin Perez (7-6).NATIONALS 5, PIRATES 1WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg threw eight masterful innings and drove in a run with a bunt, and Michael Taylor hit a two-run homer as Washington beat Pittsburgh.Strasburg (13-0) allowed one run and three hits with six strikeouts while matching his longest start of the season. Hes won a franchise-record 16 straight decisions since September and permitted a total of five hits in three starts since coming off the disabled list July 3.Washington improved to 16-1 with Strasburg on the mound this year. He is the only qualified starter in the majors without a loss.Francisco Liriano (5-9) yielded three runs and five hits in six-plus innings.ORIOLES 4, RAYS 3ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jonathan Schoop hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning, and AL East-leading Baltimore came back from an early deficit to beat Tampa Bay.Schoop got his 15th homer leading off the inning against Chris Archer (4-13), who leads the majors in losses.Mychal Givens (7-1) worked a scoreless seventh for the win one day after his daughter was born. Pedro Alvarez homered and had two RBI for the Orioles.With runners at the corners, Zach Britton struck out Logan Morrison and Steven Souza Jr. for his 28th save in as many chances.Tampa Bay lost for the 23rd time in 26 games.INDIANS 5, TWINS 2MINNEAPOLIS -- Mike Napoli had three hits, including his 19th home run, and Carlos Carrasco pitched into the seventh inning as Cleveland beat Minnesota.The first-place Indians had lost four of five before the All-Star break. They maintained their 6 1/2-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central.Napoli scored three runs, one on his solo shot in the eighth that stretched Clevelands lead to three. That was more than enough for Carrasco (6-3), who allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He won for the fourth time in five starts.Cody Allen closed for his 19th save in 21 chances.Ervin Santana (3-8), coming off a shutout in his previous start, was chased in the sixth. Brian Dozier homered and drove in both runs for the Twins.TIGERS 4, ROYALS 2DETROIT -- Victor Martinez drove in two runs with a tiebreaking infield single in the seventh inning, and Detroit took advantage of that fluky hit in holding off Kansas City.With the bases loaded and two outs, Martinezs comebacker deflected off reliever Joakim Soria and rolled to the area between first and second. With the second baseman playing deep, there was no chance to retire Martinez, and two runs came home on the play.Tyler Collins, just called up from the minors, hit a solo homer earlier in the inning off Luke Hochevar (1-2) to tie it at 2. Ian Kinsler also homered for the Tigers.Justin Verlander (9-6) allowed one earned run and four hitss in seven innings.dddddddddddd. He struck out 10.Francisco Rodriguez finished for his 25th save in 27 chances.RED SOX 5, YANKEES 3NEW YORK -- Ryan Hanigan, Travis Shaw and Xander Bogaerts homered to back knuckleballer Steven Wright, and Boston opened the second half with a win over New York.Hanigans third-inning homer was his first since last Aug. 19 off Clevelands Corey Kluber. Shaw hit a two-run homer in the fifth, and Bogaerts made it 5-0 with a two-run drive in the sixth.Wright (11-5), who began the night with an AL-leading 2.68 ERA, was a first-time All-Star at age 31 but didnt pitch in Tuesday nights game and was moved up in Bostons rotation for the series opener. He retired his first 14 batters before Alex Rodriguezs infield single.Wright won for the eighth time in nine decisions. Koji Uehara finished the four-hitter for his fifth save, his third since closer Craig Kimbrel hurt a knee.New York (44-45) is under .500 after the All-Star break for the first time since 1995. Michael Pineda (3-9) gave up five runs and five hits in five-plus innings.METS 5, PHILLIES 3PHILADELPHIA -- Neil Walker hit a three-run homer and Juan Lagares also went deep to lead New York over Philadelphia.Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits for the Mets, who opened the second half by snapping a three-game skid while All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes missed his third straight game with a strained right quadriceps.Peter Bourjos had an RBI triple for Philadelphia, which won 10 of 13 before the break.Bartolo Colon (8-4), one of four Mets chosen for the All-Star Game, started out sensational before a rocky sixth inning ended his night. Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save while extending his club record for consecutive saves to 48, dating back to last Aug. 1.Jeremy Hellickson (6-7) yielded four runs and seven hits in six innings.REDS 5, BREWERS 4CINCINNATI -- Adam Duvall and Tucker Barnhart doubled home runs in the sixth inning, rallying Cincinnati past Milwaukee to snap a three-game slide.The bottom two teams in the NL Central went into the All-Star break with downturns. The last-place Reds pulled off a three-run rally, then barely held on.Duvalls double off Matt Garza (1-3) cut Milwaukees lead to 3-2. Barnharts two-run double off Carlos Torres gave Cincinnati its first lead. Jay Bruce added an RBI double in the seventh.Anthony DeSclafani (4-0) allowed six hits in six innings, including Scooter Gennetts homer. Gennett fouled out against Tony Cingrani with the bases loaded for the second out of the ninth. Ross Ohlendorf retired Ryan Braun on a popup for his second save.The Brewers have lost three straight and 10 of 14.ROCKIES 11, BRAVES 2ATLANTA -- Carlos Gonzalez had three hits, Nolan Arenado scored three times and pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn capped a big offensive performance for Colorado with a ninth-inning grand slam against Atlanta.After averaging 2.7 runs in their previous seven road games against the Giants and Dodgers, the Rockies took advantage of baseballs worst team. The Braves dropped to 13-35 at home and 31-59 overall.Jorge De La Rosa (6-6) gave up two runs in six innings for the win.Lucas Harrell (1-1) allowed seven hits and seven runs -- five earned -- in 3 2/3 innings. He also walked three in his third start for Atlanta. 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