England’s Test line-up isn’t quite as settled as the one-day international unit that lifted the Cricket World Cup earlier this month, with question marks hanging over both the batting order and fast-bowling battery.

Below, our writers explain who they’d pick from England’s 14-man squad for the first Test at Edgbaston – and why.

Phil Walker, editor-in-chief, Wisden Cricket Monthly

1. Burns
2. Denly
3. Root (c)
4. Roy
5. Stokes
6. Buttler
7. Bairstow (wk)
8. Woakes
9. Moeen
10. Stone/Archer
11. Anderson

What a job it is picking this one. Aussie quicks, overhead conditions, a big fat seam on the special-measures Duke ball as demanded by England’s bowlers – it’s got all the makings of a bowlers’ series. So logic says pack the batting, but with whom?

I’ve gone with a conventional balance. Jonny Bairstow drops down to No.7, which fairly reflects his form in the five-day game, leaving Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler in the engine room. I’m all for Joe Root putting his hand up to bat at No.3, because he’s the best man for the job. That’s a huge move for the team. And personally I like Jason Roy at No.4 more than as an opener; Joe Denly and Rory Burns look raw at this level, but to drop either for another all-rounder feels like a gamble too far, so they will open the batting together. Between them they have many years of experience doing the job.

Taha Hashim, staff writer

1. Roy
2. Burns
3. Root (c)
4. Stokes
5. Buttler
6. Bairstow (wk)
7. Curran
8. Woakes
9. Moeen
10. Archer/Stone
11. Anderson

It’s a harsh call on Denly, who top-scored with 23 in the first innings against Ireland and fell victim to the hesitancy of his skipper in his second dig, but I’ve got to find a space for golden boy Sam Curran. He doesn’t merit a place as a front-line bowler but rather fits into my side as a specialist game-changer at No 7. Let him smack away and run in for the odd over; he’s bound to do something out of the ordinary. Broad is another harsh omission, but the last time Woakes and Archer bowled to Australia at Edgbaston, they were magnificent. If Archer’s fitness remains under question, Stone should come in as a more like-for-like replacement.