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Cape Town - Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen says opener Keaton Jennings should be dropped for the Test series against Sri Lanka later this year.
Jennings averages less than 23 after a dozen Tests - and didn't strike one half-century in nine attempts during the recent five-match series against India.
The veteran Alastair Cook, meanwhile, has retired from international cricket.
If Jennings is sidelined, England will have an all-new opening combination against the Sri Lankans.
"Jennings can't bat, I'm sorry," Pietersen told talkSPORT.
"They are going to have to find somebody else. Cook is a big loss. I know he has been wishy-washy over the last couple of months but he finished on a fairy tale ending, which is brilliant for him but to replace that kind of guy at the top of the order, it is going to be difficult.
"I just don't see county cricket producing Test cricketers at the moment. The issue is deep-rooted. All the best players in the world now are not playing county cricket. They are earning their cash in franchise cricket. Therefore, the standard of county cricket isn't great, the standard of county batsmen is poor, and it is causing a massive issue in cabs on the rank for batting places."
Pietersen suggested limited-overs batsman Jason Roy be trialled at Test level. Roy has gathered relative success after 65 ODIs and 31 T20Is, but has not yet played the longest form of the international game.
"I like Jason Roy. He has got oomph, he has got guts, he has got runs at the top of the order in Australia. He scored that brilliant 180 at the MCG. It is about how guys score their runs and what their personalities are like. I would be all for Roy at the top of the order with Rory Burns," he added.
