So, having had three weeks of the county championship, how are England’s likely squad shaping up? In the IPL, Ben Stokes has had two injuries and has managed to play only two games, while Joe Root has spent his time carrying the drinks rather than getting into early season form for Yorkshire. Mark Wood has managed four games and Jofra Archer two, with the latter having had a minor op on his elbow, the fifth in the last two years.
England’s top 3 have at least been getting game time, with each having scored a 100 to indicate they are in reasonable early season form. Harry Brook has scored a single 100 in the IPL but has otherwise struggled, with some Indian fans rather miffed given the amount he is being paid. Messrs Stokes and Root have had limited involvement, referred to above. While I remain sceptical about Zak Crawley as a test opener, it appears unlikely the England selectors will change direction so close to the Ashes.
The most contentious aspect of England’s team selection will be that of keeper. Ben Foakes has been in excellent early season form, scoring 76 and 103no against Lancashire in the first game of the season, and yet his place appears to be the most under threat, despite him averaging 33 compared to Zak Crawley’s 27 at test level. The imminent return of Jonny Bairstow will put his place under severe scrutiny, and while I would much prefer them to preserve with Foakes, Bluey, who has scored 97 in a second team game, appears likely to bat at 7.
The spinner in the Ashes is likely to be Jack Leach, who has had a run out in all of Somerset’s games, while Rehan Ahmed has batted well in his appearances for Leicestershire, but it would be a big leap of faith to pick the 18 year old in the Ashes.
The seam attack is likely to be the most hotly contested aspect of the team, with Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad all fit and available, and Chris Woakes also offering a high class seam option as well as a more credible batsman at number 8 to balance the side. Matt Potts, who impressed last season, is another option but he is unlikely to play unless injuries disrupt the availability of the senior players.
The most contentious aspect of the attack is likely to be picking a bowler of high pace, with Olly Stone being the only one of the troika of Wood, Stone and Archer currently playing in the county championship. Picking Jofra Archer in particular would be fraught with risk, given the fact he has had such limited game time in the last two years and has had problems with the same elbow in the IPL. In addition, if Ben Stokes cannot bowl, then picking an out and out quickie will put additional strain on the seamers, with Jimmy and Broad approaching 41 and 37 respectively, so how to balance the team remains a considerable challenge, especially with England almost certainly wanting to have a spin option and not wanting to have too long a tail. There appears no credible allrounder who could bat at 7 if Stokes in unable to bowl, with both Sam Curran and Chris Woakes being more suited to number 8 at the most. Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse offer pacey alternatives, although appear likely to play only if the main bowlers pick up injuries.
In conclusion there appear to be a number of unresolved issues with the likely test side to be selected for the Ashes, with Jonny Bairstow’s likely return being the most straightforward given his outstanding form last year, even though I would personally pick Ben Foakes! The fitness of Stokes, Archer and to a lesser extent Mark Wood will also create issues when the selectors try and pick a balanced side. At least the top 3 have scored some runs! Roll on June.