With England’s IPL returnees rested, injuries to Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes and Jofra Archer, and some players putting up undeniable cases in county cricket, there are plenty of decisions to be made as Chris Silverwood and Joe Root look to trim a squad of 16 into a final XI. Here’s a look at six key questions, and the likely answers to each.

Who makes up the top-order?

While Rory Burns was dropped towards the end of the India series, his form at the start of the County Championship season makes him arguably the England top-order batsman most sure of his place. He has seven fifty-plus scores this campaign, the most of any player, and five in his last five innings, including a century in his most recent innings. Still, an average of 9.75 since the start of last summer’s Pakistan series speaks of a player in need of a score.

PICK YOUR ENGLAND XI FOR THE FIRST TEST

With averages either side of Burns’ are Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley. That both were named Wisden Cricketers of the Year should serve as a reminder of the impression they made in 2020, but neither has reached three figures yet in 2021. Waiting in the wings are Haseeb Hameed and James Bracey, the former finally back in form after years in the wilderness, and the latter coming good on the positive impression he has made in the bubble recently. But you fancy Hameed, a late call-up due to Foakes’ injury, is as much about cover and reintegrating him into the side, while Bracey will likely be needed lower down the order.

Verdict: Burns and Sibley to open, Crawley to bat at three.

Pope, Lawrence or both?

Which of Ollie Pope or Dan Lawrence you view as more exciting might well determine your philosophy of cricket overall. Pope is the more prolific in county cricket, with a technique pulled straight from the manual. Lawrence’s style is all his own, and his up and down career is at this point also something a positive, with his ability to work through issues and come out the other side a valuable one. That he is quick on his feet, both literally and figuratively, came to the fore in the final Test in India, with a pair of impressive hands as it all crumbled around him. Pope, meanwhile, looked at times frenetic at the crease, though any frailties against spin will be only a minor issue given where England’s next assignments will take place.

However, given the injury to Stokes, England may not have to make a decision. They have generally been reluctant to field only four bowlers, but Joe Root’s part-time off-spin, as well as Lawrence’s own bag of tricks, may just add up to enough to make it workable, especially in June at Lord’s where seam should hold sway.

Verdict: Both.

Can England leave out Jack Leach?

Still, the decision to go with four seamers would be harsh on Jack Leach, one of the few England players to emerge with credit this winter. He has a creditable record in all conditions, and there’s an argument that if he is to be England’s first-choice spinner, then he should play come what may, giving him game time with an Ashes series to think about. He has been roughly treated before, and had his opportunities limited by illness, and again, there’s an argument that he should have been England’s first-choice spinner long before now. It might be that his chance comes at Edgbaston. Only six wickets have fallen to spin at Lord’s all summer – although four of those were claimed by Jack Leach. It could be that a call is made depending on how the pitch looks, but if you were betting, you’d go against him playing.

Verdict: Leach out, but it could depend on the pitch.

Who keeps?

England have boasted a slew of keepers in recent times, with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes playing their most recent Test, and Jos Buttler finally coming good as a Test cricketer in 2020. But now they find themselves with only one capped gloveman in the squad – Ollie Pope, who took the gauntlets for a forgotten Test in New Zealand in the 2019/20 winter. Sam Billings, often pigeonholed as a white-ball cricketer, was called up as cover after Foakes’ injury, and there are prominent voices in his corner who have suggested he’s got what it takes in Test cricket.

However, while James Bracey’s eventual home might well be at the top of the order, it seems likely it’s he who will take the gloves and bat at seven, allowing him to show what he’s about without having to face Tim Southee and Trent Boult with the new ball, one of world cricket’s more daunting prospects.

Verdict: James Bracey to keep.

Which seamers do England pick?

This is where it gets really tough. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will likely play, though given England’s propensity to get funky with rest and rotation, it’s not a given. But assuming they’re in, there’s still four bowlers to fit into one or two slots. Given the make up of the quartet – two out-and-out quicks in Mark Wood and Olly Stone, two county workhorses in Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson – it’s possible England are planning on picking one of each, and doing a double swap for Edgbaston. But that’s based on a fair amount of guesswork, and assumes all the above selection dilemmas will fall as suggested.

Verdict: It’s a toss-up!