Tom Westley? Ben Foakes? Liam Plunkett…? There are several question marks over the make up of touring party as England prepare to name their Ashes squad
George Dobell26-Sep-2017Top threeIt says much for the fortunes of Alastair Cook’s partners in recent times that Mark Stoneman, with one half-century and an average of 30.00 from three Tests, is seen as a certainty for selection. But with his rivals for the position struggling for form (such as Keaton Jennings, who has a top score of 17 since he was dropped from the Test side) or fitness (such as Nick Gubbins, who currently has a hamstring injury) or, in the case of Haseeb Hameed, both, there is not the competition for places the selectors would have desired. As a result, there may be a temptation to forego the option of a third specialist opener. But with options for No. 3 – notably Tom Westley and Gary Ballance – having struggled, too, it remains unclear which way the selectors will go. Trevor Bayliss has previously suggested England will rely on someone with recent international experience, which might seem encouraging to the likes of Sam Robson, who has averaged 40.89 in Division One this season, but Joe Denly, who plays the short ball well and has scored more than 1,100 first-class runs at an average in excess of 60 in Division Two this summer, might also be worth a look.On the plane: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman
Waiting by the phone: Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley
Outsiders: Haseeb Hameed, Sam Robson, Joe Denly, Nick Gubbins, Rory BurnsDawid Malan flicks through the leg side•Getty ImagesMiddle order Rarely can an England side have left for Australia with so many unanswered questions over its top five. With Joe Root apparently keen to remain at No. 4 and Ben Stokes cemented in at No. 6 (pending the investigation into his arrest in Bristol), the battle for the No. 5 position is hugely competitive. Dawid Malan, with two half-centuries in his eight Test innings to date, is likely to make the trip, with Ballance – prolific in the early weeks of the Championship season – also pushing hard. Both could also bat at No. 3. Alex Hales has a decent average, but it has been boosted by a double-century against Derbyshire and some doubts remain about his ability to play the pace anticipated in Australia, while James Vince has been tipped in some quarters. Of the outside bets, few have a ‘ceiling’ as high as Liam Livingstone. But he did himself few favours in his brief elevation to international cricket during the T20 with South Africa when he seemed a little rattled by the big occasion and it may well make the selectors reluctant to risk him in Australia. Had Ian Bell shown even a semblance of his best form, England would surely have recalled him. A Championship average in the 20s is not especially persuasive, though.On the plane: Joe Root, Ben Stokes
Waiting by the phone: Gary Ballance, Dawid Malan, James Vince, Alex Hales
Outsiders: Ian Bell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Northeast, Dan LawrenceWicketkeepersIt seems all but certain that Ben Foakes will be promoted to tour as Jonny Bairstow’s deputy. It is an ascent that has long been expected and might be considered due reward for another season of polished keeping and decent run-scoring. He is averaging 45.33 in the Championship this season and could well have made it as a specialist batsman. It might have been worth considering the man who is (more often than not) winning the gloves at Lancashire ahead of Jos Buttler, though. Alex Davies is not only an accomplished keeper, but he can also open the batting. He has scored 842 runs in the Championship season at an average of 40.09 and, as another option at the top of the order, might be considered more versatile than Foakes. Buttler, averaging 17.16 for Lancashire in first-class cricket this season, has hardly given himself a chance to impress and increasingly looks like a white-ball specialist.On the plane: Jonny Bairstow
Waiting by the phone: Ben Foakes
Outsiders: Jos Buttler, Alex DaviesMark Wood endured a frustrating day•Getty ImagesSeamersWith Toby Roland-Jones injured, England’s first choice attack for Brisbane almost picks itself: Stokes will join James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes, with Moeen Ali to bowl spin. But England need back-up in case of injury. While they would love to take a fully fit and firing Mark Wood, they may be reluctant to risk him after another summer that has done nothing to refute the suggestion that his body cannot stand the strain of regular first-class cricket. Jake Ball and Craig Overton may lack his top pace, but they are skilful and reliable and, in the case of Overton, can bat a bit, too. Liam Plunkett has had an impressive year in white-ball cricket for England, while Steven Finn took a season’s-best eight-wicket haul at Lord’s last week. Several young, quick bowlers – the likes of Jamie Overton (who has almost recovered from his stress fracture), Olly Stone and perhaps Josh Tongue – might also make it to Australia as part of the Lions squad and could be drafted into the Ashes party as required.On the plane: James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes
Waiting by the phone: Mark Wood, Jake Ball, Craig Overton, Steven Finn
Outsiders: Liam Plunkett, Jamie PorterSpinners With England unlikely to play two spinners in many of the Tests, it could be they take Mason Crane to gain experience. But if Moeen should suffer an injury, they may still be reluctant to go into a Test with a 20-year-old legspinner as their only slow-bowling option. So it might make sense to take a spinner they can rely upon to bowl 20 overs a day if necessary and one who could exploit any assistance should it occur. For that reason, Jack Leach must warrant consideration. Liam Dawson and Samit Patel might also be considered as defensive spinners who could add with the bat.On the plane: Moeen Ali
Waiting by the phone: Mason Crane, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, Liam Dawson
Outsiders: Samit Patel