England opener Robson needs to score at Oval to retain Test spot: Mark Butcher

Former England batsman Mark Butcher has said current opener Sam Robson should consider himself lucky to be picked for the Oval Test against India, and will need to score well to secure his Test future.

The England and Middlesex opener has found life difficult either side of his 127 against Sri Lanka at Headingley, putting his place in the team under threat from a lengthening queue of batsmen desperate to resolve what has become a problem position, Butcher told the Daily Mail.

Since former captain Andrew Strauss retired, England have tried Nick Compton, Joe Root, Michael Carberry and Robson as openers, but none have made it their own.

And with no Tests after this final match until next year in the Caribbean, Butcher believes Robson must give selectors a reason to stick with him.

Butcher said Robson has scored piles of runs in first class cricket and there was no reason why he could not replicate the feat in the last Test.

He said that Robson would do well to score at least a ton to regain his confidence.

Robson has struggled around his off stump, being bowled or nicking the ball, and Butcher believes there are technical glitches he must iron out - including the positions of his head and feet.