Ahead of the third Test between England and India at Headingley, three Wisden writers have their say on who should line up for the hosts.

Dawid Malan has been recalled after both Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley were dropped, which means England will have to reconfigure their top order after a stunning defeat on the fifth day of the second Test at Lord’s.

In regards to the bowling department, Mark Wood has been ruled out because of a shoulder injury sustained in the field during the second Test. Saqib Mahmood, who is uncapped at Test level, and Craig Overton, who last played Test cricket in 2019, are both in the squad and in contention to feature.

Three Wisden writers have each weighed up the different selection questions and formed the XI they think England should opt for:

Yas Rana, Wisden.com head of content

Rory Burns
Haseeb Hameed
Dawid Malan
Joe Root (c)
Jonny Bairstow
Jos Buttler (wk)
Moeen Ali
Craig Overton
Ollie Robinson
Saqib Mahmood
James Anderson

It’s not a hugely inspiring line-up, but it’ll have to do. I’m not sold on Malan batting three at home – he’s never batted in the top three in Test cricket, his record at home is one of the worst this century among specialist English batsmen and he’s batted just once in first-class cricket this year – but I’d marginally prefer him to bat there ahead of awkwardly squeezing in one of Bairstow, Pope or Lawrence.

Taha Hashim, Wisden.com features editor

Haseeb Hameed
Rory Burns
Dawid Malan
Joe Root (c)
Jonny Bairstow
Jos Buttler (wk)
Moeen Ali
Craig Overton
Ollie Robinson
Saqib Mahmood
James Anderson

Dawid Malan is back and he deserves this opportunity. While the left-hander hasn’t seen much of the red ball in the last couple of years, he’s delivered when he’s had the chance: six knocks for Yorkshire since the start of last summer have resulted in 531 runs at an average of 88.50. Beyond that, he’s shown an aptitude for the international game as England’s T20I No.3. Batting in the same position against a stellar India Test attack is going to be one hell of a challenge – Malan was used exclusively in the middle order when he was first selected – but of the options available in England’s squad, he’s the best man for the job.

Saqib Mahmood looked the part in the group stage of the County Championship and really stepped up in those three ODIs against Pakistan – his time is now. As for the No.8 spot, Craig Overton steps up. Sam Curran’s magical touch just isn’t there at this moment in time and the Somerset quick can more than hold his own with the bat.

Rohit Sankar, Wisden India writer

Rory Burns
Haseeb Hameed
Jonny Bairstow
Joe Root (c)
Dan Lawrence
Jos Buttler (wk)
Moeen Ali
Sam Curran
Ollie Robinson
Saqib Mahmood
James Anderson

I’d like to see Hameed pushed to the top to open with Burns and Bairstow moved up to No.3. While Malan is the obvious choice at one-down, Bairstow has done well this series and Dan Lawrence deserves more chances in the XI.

Ollie Pope hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential in Test cricket, notably having very poor numbers at home – after 10 Tests he averages 25.21. Lawrence should pip him and will be useful in the middle order. Bairstow moving up to No.3 will also help force the pace, something the England top three haven’t done for a while.

In the bowling department, Saqib Mahmood, who has had a good County Championship season and showed good rhythm in limited-overs cricket, comes in for the injured Mark Wood. Sam Curran and Moeen Ali retain their places in my XI.