To watch Ed Smith unveil his first England squad since being installed as national selector was a little like seeing an eager and well-polished political leader rolling out his new manifesto.

Each question he received from the 15 or so packed into a stuffy executive box in the Tavern Stand at Lord’s he then compartmentalised into two or three parts (“The first thing I would say on that is…”), journalists were thanked earnestly for asking such perceptive questions, and each and every word appeared to be considered to the finest detail. The delivery was straight out of Blair or Cameron’s playbook.

It’s a style and manner that has not always endeared Smith to people – either during his playing career, when the prospect of playing under his captaincy inspired a minor mutiny at Kent, or since becoming a free-thinking journalist, author and commentator – and this in part explains why his appointment so starkly divided opinion. He is viewed by some as too clever by half, a little smug, and one of Strauss’ boys – part of the club.

Smith and his panel could have taken the safer option and handed a recall to Moeen Ali, but after a torrid winter for the all-rounder, and no first-class cricket since, they’ve opted for a 20-year-old who’s taken 63 wickets from 16 first-class matches, as well as showing real potential with the bat.

“An opportunity opened up to have a look at a new spinner,” said Smith. “He’s had a really terrific start to his first-class career, with bat and ball, and as a character. It’s also true that when he’s been given the opportunity to play in representative teams he’s grabbed those opportunities.”

With spinners rarely required to get through much work during early-season fixtures at Lord’s, it would be a surprise if Bess features in the first Test against Pakistan. But it’s a sensible move to familiarise him with the squad with a tour of Sri Lanka on the horizon this winter.

Smith wrapped up by saying that this was a squad picked to win the upcoming Test series, not with a view to improving England’s dismal record overseas. But the decisions made in his first squad suggest he will be anything but short-sighted.

England’s squad for the first Test against Pakistan: Joe Root (c), Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Dom Bess