Wise men in pretty tight bind for side

England selectors weigh up options for Ashes Tests

ENGLAND’s selectors name their squad tomorrow for the Ashes series with the team in a surprising state of flux despite recent home series wins over South Africa and West Indies.

England experienced a mixture of crushing victories and heavy losses this summer, eventually winning out because they bat so deep and, in Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, have two of their best-ever all-rounders.

But the top-order selection seldom convinced with only opener Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root certain to play in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane starting on November 23.

Surrey’s Mark Stoneman is Cook’s most likely opening partner after playing in three Tests against West Indies, but much of the discussion will revolve around which batsmen deserve another chance to prove themselves in Australia.

The days when England could ink in proven performers like Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen in the middle-order have long gone.

England coach Trevor Bayliss has said the squad is likely to include only players who have featured in the past 18 months, opening the way for a recall for Hampshire’s James Vince as England seek to fill their problem number three slot.

Vince is a natural shot-maker but did not feature this season after notching 212 runs at an average of 19 in his seven Tests last year.

Like Essex’s Tom Westley and Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, who both batted at three this summer, Vince’s technique was questioned with concerns over his tendency to fence loosely at balls outside off-stump.