Solving England's batting issue is toughest part of Joe Root's Ashes puzzle

Whatever he achieves in his career, Joe Root knows the next three-and-a-half months will always form a significant part of his cricketing history.

Like it or not, England players tend to be remembered most for their performances against Australia — and for captains, that emphasis is even greater. Root has met nearly every challenge impressively during his five-year international career; the next will surely be his most demanding.

The selectors will name their squad for this winter’s Ashes series at The Kia Oval on Wednesday and Root’s thoughts will carry considerable weight.

Gary Ballance was recalled at the start of the summer, thanks to backing from the skipper, and Root will have made his feelings known before the final group is revealed.

Most of the party picks itself, but there are still questions to answer, particularly among the batsmen. Here Standard Sport looks at the puzzles the selectors have tried to solve.

BATTING

Root, Alastair Cook, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are certainties, with Mark Stoneman likely to keep his place as Cook’s opening partner. But what about the rest? The selectors appear to be leaning towards a recall for James Vince, despite an unconvincing summer against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2016, and Ballance, who did not deliver in two Tests against South Africa before his stint was cut short by a hand injury. Before the final round of matches, Vince averaged only 35 for Hampshire in the County Championship, but the selectors believe he may prosper in Australia, where the Kookaburra ball does not swing or seam as much as the Dukes in England and the bounce is true. Dawid Malan should keep his spot after two important innings against West Indies, though Tom Westley — who batted at No3 in five Tests — may struggle to make the cut. Westley suffered a scare batting for Essex against Yorkshire yesterday when he was struck on the thumb, although scans revealed no fracture.

PACE BOWLING

Jimmy Anderson, as he has on the last two Ashes tours, will lead England’s attack Down Under in what may be his last series against the old enemy. As ever, he will share the new ball with Stuart Broad, with Chris Woakes as third seamer and Stokes second change. Yet, with Toby Roland-Jones suffering a stress fracture to his back while playing for Middlesex, and doubts remaining about Mark Wood’s long-term fitness, there are still places available here. Wood is the quickest bowler around and will surely be taken if England believe they can keep him healthy, while Jake Ball is a replacement for Roland-Jones. Steven Finn, Liam Plunkett and Craig Overton, of Somerset, wait in the wings. Overton has taken his wickets at 23 apiece this summer and may get the nod. The quicks also need a new coach, following Ottis Gibson’s departure to South Africa, and a short-term appointment for the winter is likely.

SPIN BOWLING

Moeen Ali is the clear first-choice slow-bowling option and is a fine batsman, who has five Test hundreds. The Australian grounds that usually respond most to spin are Adelaide and Sydney, but the Adelaide Test is a day-night affair this winter, meaning England may be more inclined to stick with their usual balance. Mason Crane, the leg-spinner, is highly regarded but cannot command a regular place in the Hampshire team, while his county colleague Liam Dawson does not appear to have the attributes to succeed at Test level, and Adil Rashid seems to be considered a white-ball bowler only these days.

RESERVE WICKETKEEPER

Bairstow’s work behind the stumps has improved considerably and he deserves to have the gloves. For recent tours, Bairstow and Jos Buttler have been chosen, but with Buttler moving increasingly towards the white-ball game, the time may be right for Ben Foakes. The Surrey wicketkeeper is regarded as the best in the county game and this looks the ideal time to introduce him to international cricket.