England are set to pick their squad to face New Zealand, in their first Test outing since their Ashes disaster, in the coming days. As part of the process, they have several selection questions to find answers to.
The first Test squad since the Ashes marks a crucial step in their rebuilding phase. Having decided that no administrative figure would carry the can for what happened in Australia, the actual change, however small or large scale that might be, will likely be seen in the playing group. Although yet to be announced as new national selector, it will be the first squad Marcus North can exert his influence on, and who's in it will shape the direction of travel for the first part of England's next stage.
While Rob Key signalled ahead of the start of the season that he wasn't looking for wholesale change, quiet evolution has started to take place. England employed more backroom staff during the T20 World Cup, and fixing their relationship with the counties has been a stated goal in this season. When England do name their squad to take on New Zealand in June, that incremental change is likely to be reflected in some of the personnel.
Who will open the batting?
Zak Crawley is set to be the biggest casualty of the Ashes winter. It wasn't inevitable that Crawley would carry the can, but his abysmal start to the Championship season has sealed his fate. Ben Duckett's early season runs and statement double against Surrey this week mean he will most likely keep his place, having abandoned his IPL contract in a bid to do so. Even without those runs, ditching both openers who have been central to the successes England have had over the last four years would be a huge call.
Nevertheless, England have other options. The standout name from the county circuit is Emilio Gay, who already has three centuries to his name this season. He was also part of the England Lions group who toured Australia during the winter. Nevertheless, selecting Gay to open would mark a change from previous policies under Brendon McCullum.
Previously, England have looked to pick their best six batters, regardless of what position they suit the most. That line of thinking could see them pick James Rew to open up, or to promote Jamie Smith. Rew's mountain of county runs are becoming hard to ignore, and he signalled his intent with a move up to the top of the order in Somerset's most recent Championship outing. He was out early on both occasions. As for Smith, as a tall right-hander he would give England the same match-up with Duckett they get with Crawley. But, England like what Smith offers batting with the tail, and may well choose to prioritise that.
Which batter is the next cab off the rank?
If England don't pick Rew as an opener, he's likely to be in the squad as batting and keeping cover. Jordan Cox occupied that role last summer, before he got injured, but has slipped down the pecking order given his lack of cricket warming the bench in the IPL. An outside bet for a return would be Dan Lawrence, who has three centuries to his name so far this season.
Who makes up the pace attack?
After their pace attack was annihilated in Australia, spots are up for grabs. Josh Tongue was England's stand-out pacer during the Ashes, and has looked sharp in the games he's played for Nottinghamshire. Gus Atkinson is also likely to have retained his place, if he recovers from a concussion he sustained by being hit by Tongue in the latest Championship round. There's also Jofra Archer, who's IPL commitments could rule him out of the start of the international summer, and Brydon Carse hasn't played since picking up a hand-injury during IPL nets. Mark Wood's red-ball future also has a question mark hanging over it.
In short, there are opportunities to cover all bases. England will want someone who can open the bowling, which might give Sam Cook a second look, or to give Matt Potts a go with the new ball. They could also turn to Ollie Robinson, who indicated that Rob Key had been in touch with him. There might also be scope for Matt Fisher to add to his previous single Test cap, or for Olly Stone to come back in after a good start to the season.
Without Wood or Archer, there's also room for another express pace option, for which Sonny Baker is in prime position to take.
How to solve the spin question?
England have got themselves into a muddle with their spinners. Having backed Shoaib Bashir, they turned to Will Jacks during the Ashes and now find themselves in a bind. Jacks' was a stop-gap, and it's unlikely England will select him as their spin-option moving forward. They could select another all-rounder and make up overs with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell. That approach could see them finally give Rehan Ahmed an extended run in the side. Having been on the fringes in all formats for the last three years, Ahmed would be the most fitting pick – someone who offers something slightly different, and who England could back for an extended run in all conditions.
Picking Rehan would be another blow for Bashir, who has enjoyed a decent start to life at Derbyshire. There feels limited scope for Jack Leach to return for a home summer, and other county spinners like Sussex's Jack Carson and Nottinghamshire's Liam Patterson-White feel less likely picks.
Any other business?
Aside from selection questions, there's the actual detail of what will change behind the scenes. England put a curfew in place for their white-ball tours earlier this year, following allegations of a drinking culture around the squad and the incident which saw Harry Brook involved in an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand. They also employed more backroom staff, although role-specific coaches for this summer haven't been confirmed.
Equally, with all the key names from the winter still in post, England have to change public perception of themselves. While sweeping changes would have given them more leeway for teething failures, their margin for error is pretty narrow.
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