You could pinpoint several reasons for England’s latest Ashes hammering in Australia. Weak top order batting, failure to convert starts, no Ben Stokes, lack of pace and poor preparation being the most documented flaws in the current England Test side. Another of those is the spin department. Australia is not a place known to be a paradise for spinners. Yet the impact of Nathan Lyon in this series gave England a glimpse of what might have been, had they had a spinner of such class in their side.

Lyon was integral to Australia’s success. Sure, the electric pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will take the headlines and perhaps rightly so – they took a combined total of 66 English wickets and their pace, particularly through the air, was perhaps the difference on such flat wickets. But Lyon took 21 wickets of his own and his consistency with the ball built up pressure for the quicks to strike at the other end. It is well known that a paceman’s job becomes much easier once a spinner, at the very least, holds up an end, never mind offers the wicket-taking threat that Lyon does.

And then we have Adil Rashid. Whatever happened to Adil Rashid? England’s leading wicket-taker (23) by a distance in India last winter has been overlooked ever since his promising series in the subcontinent. Rashid looked to have grown in maturity and confidence during that series against a high-quality Indian batting line-up, which included Virat Kohli at the peak of his powers. Yet, there are apparent doubts within the England camp over Rashid’s mental strength in Tests as much as his ability to tie down batsmen for long periods. The Yorkshire leg-spinner remains an integral part of England’s plans in white-ball cricket but who knows when we will see him again in the Test arena.

There are other promising talents. Amar Virdi, despite playing only three Division One matches last season, is highly thought of at Surrey and leg-spinner Matt Parkinson has impressed since breaking through at Lancashire, taking 24 wickets from nine matches at 27.95. However, much like Bess, they will need more development on the county scene before warranting selection at a higher level.

The underlining factor, though, is that England need a top-class spinner. To be the best Test side in the world, which England intend to be, you need to be adaptable both home and away. That is made even more difficult without a spinner who can hold up an end, as well offer a wicket-taking threat. England love an all-rounder, as we know, but Moeen Ali has proven on two away tours now that he is not the solution to England’s continuous search for a reliable spinner.

It could well be time to try someone else and Leach, Bess and Rashid have to be in contention.