If further evidence was needed that being a Test opener in England is the toughest gig in international cricket, then this summer’s Ashes provided it. Faced with exceptional pace attacks and seamer-friendly conditions, England’s average opening stand for the series was 16.6. Australia’s was just 8.5.

David Warner, with 21 Test hundreds in his back pocket, was reduced to a state of paralysis. “I don’t think David solved the puzzle,” said Australia coach Justin Langer. “He’ll probably be very relieved when he gets on the Qantas flight and doesn’t have to face Stuart Broad for a while I reckon.”

Out of the debris rose Rory Burns. His average of 39 won’t look like much when scorecards are revisited in years to come but it was a Herculean effort from the Surrey left-hander when you consider a) his form ahead of the series and b) the track record of English openers over the past seven years.

He returned to county cricket and scored 2,122 first-class runs across the next two seasons. Meanwhile, the revolving door continued at pace, with Cook accompanied to the crease by 11 different opening partners between June 2014 and the end of 2016.

Carberry accepts the County Championship schedule doesn’t create the ideal breeding ground for Test-ready openers – “You’re asking young players to go out in the middle of March to bat on puddings and prepare for Test level” – but says that once the selectors have identified their preferred candidates, it’s essential they show them patience. Otherwise, the problem is only going to get worse.

“You need to invest in good openers. You have to give people a chance. As openers, we don’t have the luxury of being able to come in against the old ball where it’s doing less. You see it on the first morning of a match. Everyone’s prodding the wicket. ‘Oh yeah, this looks a belter’. It’s never a belter when you’re facing the new ball. If the ball is going to do something, generally you’re the one who’s going to get it.

“If a player’s got a deficiency, as we all do, why the hands-off approach? Actually get in there and coach them, guide them. That’s what coaches are there for, surely? Not just, ‘He hasn’t scored runs in five Test matches, let’s throw him in the bin’.

“I’m telling you now, the youngsters who are coming through the game, not many of them want to open. And, honestly, I don’t blame them. There’s a massive fear. I coach kids now. If you’re seeing guys at the top of the game getting dropped after three, four or five games, and yet the middle order seem to be getting a longer run where it’s supposedly easier, why would you want to open the batting as a youngster?”