Back in May on the eve of the test series with Bangladesh, we at the Reverse Sweep suggested that England had several questions to answer before they endeavour to retain the Ashes Down Under in the winter.
So, prior to the test series against a resurgent Pakistan, which starts today at Trent Bridge, we thought it would be appropriate to have a progress check and see what are the remaining burning issues that Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower will hope to have nailed down come the end of the final test at The Oval.
Who should open with Strauss?
Although he hardly covered himself in glory in the two tests against Bangladesh, Alastair Cook is an odds-on certainty to open with Strauss for a second successive Ashes tour. Cook has a pretty dreadful record against Australia, but there is no tried and tested alternative. Michael Carberry has only played one test in Bangladesh and new kids on the block Adam Lyth and Alex Hales are too inexperienced to be thrown to the wolves. So, Cook it is. Let's hope he provides the right recipe. Status: Closed
Who bats at three?
Despite some doubts over whether he is a positive enough statement of intent in the pivotal number three position, Jonathan Trott seems to have nailed down first drop in the batting order. As long as he can negotiate his way through to The Oval without any major mishaps (and that won't be easy against the Pakistan pace trio), then Trott will have a chance to repeat his debut test heroics against Australia during the winter. The only thing that may prevent this is if Eoin Morgan has a storming series against Pakistan and the selectors decide to then opt for Ian Bell ahead of Trott at three. Status: Closed, barring a major surprise
Four or five bowlers
It is clear that England have decided to go with the four bowler option and given that there is no all-rounder good enough to bat at six (or seven with Prior at six), this is the right decision. Luke Wright is not a test cricketer with bat or ball and neither is Tim Bresnan. Adil Rashid would be a brave selection, but this won't happen. So the number six position will either go to Bell or Morgan, with the Warwickshire batsman's broken foot giving the Irishman a chance to stake his claim. Ravi Bopara waits in the wings. Status: A straight battle between Bell and Morgan with the latter needing a stellar series to get the nod
Prior or Kieswetter
Back in May we suggested that it was Craig Kieswetter's weakness with the gloves that would enable Prior to win this particular battle. After Kieswetter's well documented struggles in the one-dayers with Australia and Bangladesh, any slight doubt as to who will be behind the stumps in Brisbane have now been removed. The Somerset keeper can thus firmly focus on getting his mojo back in time for the World Cup. Status: Closed
Which seamers should board the plane?
As we stated in May, we believe that six seamers will be selected for the tour. Three of those will be Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steve Finn. The latter having sealed his spot and a probable place in the XI with his performances against Bangladesh. Pakistan's brittle batting order may not provide much more of a test than the hapless Bangladeshis, so Finn's star is likely to continue to rise. Ajmal Shahzad and his late replacement in the squad for the 1st test, Tim Bresnan, are also likely to make the cut. This leaves one spot open to be contested between Graham Onions (if he can regain fitness) and Ryan Sidebottom unless the selectors mistakingly pick Wright. Anderson seems to have lost the ability to take wickets with the new ball, and with his poor record against Australia and a suspicion that the pitches Down Under will not suit his bowling, Shahzad could pip him for a place in the XI. Status: The door is still ajar and one place in the XI waits to be confirmed
Who should be the back-up spinner?
We are no wiser on this and probably won't be until the Ashes squad is picked. Why? Because England are unlikely to play two spinners in any of the four tests against Pakistan. The choice boils down to one of James Tredwell, Monty Panesar or Adil Rashid. The former has nowhere near the ability of the other two, but may be seen as the safest option by the selectors. Panesar, our pick back in May, is the most experienced and seems to have recovered his confidence at Hove. But we'd plump for Rashid now. He is in form having taken 49 wickets at 27.87 and scored 524 runs at 52.40 to date for Yorkshire in Division 1. But will the selectors follow the lead of their Australian counterparts and pick a young leg-spinner? Status - Open
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