On thursday (july 26) at Lord's, National Selector Ed Smith will name England's squad for the first test against India which begins nest week. A drawn series against Pakistan earlier in the summer provided that England remain a work in progress at test level  and Smith, and his newly appointed England Selector James Taylor, have some tricky decision to make.

Here are some of the issue which need to be addresed.

Who will open with Alastair Cook?

Marked Stoneman was picked for the first test of the summer against Pakistan despite an average winter but he looked so woefully out of form that Keaton Jennings was recalled to the side for the second match in Leeds. Jennings made 29 and looked assured at the crease but given his issues last summer against South Africa which saw him dropped in favour of Stoneman.


Who will be the seamer ?

Nobody has yet nailed down the position of third seamer  behind Anderson and Broad and given both of those Stalwarts are nearing the end of their careers, that is a long-term worry. Chris Woakes is back fit after a tight injury ruled him out of the entire limited overs portions of the summer and his fine record in England - 46 wickets at 23.76 - may get him the nod. Mark Wood played at Lord's against Pakistan, bowled quickly at times and had a couple of catches dropped, but was then some what unfairly discarded for the next game. Wood's extra pace and ability to reserve swing the ball could prove important if England's heatwave continues and the pitches remain dry although he suffered an injury playing for Durham this week which could rule him out. Jake Ball could also come into contention after an excellent red-ball season for Nottinghamshire. 


There are many topic for talk about him but I am going to sleep.....gn



BY SUCHIT