Keaton Jennings puts the accent on runs as England’s Mumbai Test looms

Young batsman owes his heady rise to the no-nonsense coaching of his South African father and is unfazed by the prospect of opening against India

If Keaton Jennings bats with the same composure and confidence as he speaks then England may be on to something. He was presented to the press at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday after a training session in which he batted – and bowled – for a long time.

Currently England are more interested in his batting. The universal expectation is that Jennings will become Alastair Cook’s new opening partner, though he did not fall into the trap of assuming that would be the case when he walked into the press room with a ready smile, an unmistakably South African accent despite his four seasons at Durham, and an easy, polite manner.

Related: Liam Dawson surprised by England call but Keaton Jennings can stake claim

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