Former England cricketer, coach and renowned commentator David Lloyd threw his weight behind Dom Sibley, suggesting that the Warwickshire opener could have a future with England’s Test team, despite undergoing a lean patch in international cricket in 2021.

The opener was in action for Warwickshire against Lancashire and put together his first County Championship hundred of the summer against a strong Lancashire attack featuring the Hassan Ali, Matt Parkinson, Tom Bailey and Luke Wood. Sibley – who was dropped by England in 2021 – impressed Lloyd, who was on commentary and he was quick to argue that he could be a part of England’s Test side if he continued scoring big runs.

“When you say heavy runs, it’s hundreds. I would say that he is vastly improved from when he last played for England because he has worked. He will have decided that this [his previous stance] isn’t working. He is [more] sideways-on and he looks assured. This is the type of pitch you play Test matches on and concentration is massive. If you concentrate, you can bat for two days,” said Lloyd.

“He’s hit mid off, he’s played straight drives,” added Lloyd on a later stint. “The way that he’s played, he’s opened his game up. He’s looked really assured.”

Sibley, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2019, enjoyed a good start to his England career. Sibley averaged 37 after 15 Tests and over 47 in 2020 along; it looked like England had finally found an answer to their red-ball opening woes.

The right-handed batter endured a difficult 2021, however and was eventually dropped from the side during their home series against India. Given the lack of obvious options at the top of the England order, a run of scores for Warwickshire could soon see Sibley make a return to the England set-up.