Bat first in Cardiff, and bat all day . . .

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU WIN THE TOSS?

Don’t get too clever, like I did at Brisbane in 2002. Keep it simple and try not to complicate the issue. At lots of venues in this country you look up rather than down before deciding what to do but Cardiff is generally a bat-first pitch, with a bit of spin coming into it later. It may be a bit cloudy on the first day and it may well nibble around in the first session. But the captain who wins the toss should probably hold his nerve and bat.

WILL THERE BE ANY SURPRISE SELECTIONS?

The only question England will face is Moeen Ali v Adil Rashid, because I can’t see them playing both. It will come down to what Alastair Cook wants. Personally, I’d go for Ali, especially as Australia’s two left-arm seamers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc will create some rough outside the right-hander’s off stump for him to exploit. Australia have to choose between Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh and I think they’ll go with Watson. He may be an lbw candidate with the bat but he offers control with the ball which Australia may want if England go after Nathan Lyon.

WHAT’S AN ACCEPTABLE FIRST DAY FOR ENGLAND?

If England win the toss and bat they still need to be batting at the end! But more importantly they need to win personal battles. Cook needs to continue his good form and they must endeavour not to re-open any mental scarring from Mitchell Johnson. If they bowl first, they’ll want to raise doubts in the Australian camp about the wisdom of Steve Smith batting at No 3. An early wicket will be crucial so they can expose him to the new ball.

IS THIS A TEST ENGLAND MUST WIN?

It’s important to start well but not crucial. England lost at Lord’s in 2005 but came back to claim the series. What matters is that doubts don’t resurface about the Test team after the excitement around the one-day side. They need to keep the feelgood factor going.