Ahead of the first Test between England and Pakistan, starting on Wednesday at Emirates Old Trafford, four Wisden writers give their view on who the hosts should line up with.

England have named an unchanged squad from their last Test against West Indies, but there still remains uncertainty over whether star all-rounder Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl.

Phil Walker, Wisden Cricket Monthly editor-in-chief

Rory Burns
Dom Sibley
Zak Crawley
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Ollie Pope
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Dom Bess
Stuart Broad
James Anderson

I’m staying with Woakes, who edges Archer at the moment for English-pitch effectiveness. He bowled so stylishly last week. The only other selection issue concerns Stokes. If he can bowl then all’s well. He bowled fullish throttle in training today with no discernible discomfort, so the signs are he’ll be good to go. Assuming that’s the case, then Crawley returns at No.3. If Stokes wakes up crocked however and can only bat, then I’d pick the same side as last week, with the middle order all moving up a place and Archer coming back in. Good team, that.

Jo Harman, Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine editor

Rory Burns
Dom Sibley
Zak Crawley
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Ollie Pope
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Dominic Bess
Stuart Broad
James Anderson

Whether Ben Stokes is fit to bowl or not (and reportedly the signs are promising), England need the security of an extra batsman against a Pakistan side who have the ability to post more challenging totals than the Windies, so Zak Crawley comes back in at first drop. Assuming Stokes is available as a fourth seamer, it’s a straight shootout between Woakes and Archer, with the former’s five-for in the series-clincher getting him the nod, leaving the latter to work up a head of steam ahead of the second Test. If he’s not, then things get tricky. Given his minimal workload so far this summer, and the fact that in English conditions you’d expect Pakistan’s batsmen to struggle more against seam than spin, I’d be tempted to leave out Bess, pick both Woakes and Archer, and rely on Root (and Stokes?!) for some part-time offies.

Jim Wallace, Wisden Cricket Monthly staff writer

Rory Burns
Dom Sibley
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Ollie Pope
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Dominic Bess
Jofra Archer
Stuart Broad
James Anderson

“Are you playing or are you resting?”

Squeezed into a bicep-hugging black t-shirt with a feral look in his eyes, Chris Silverwood looms over Stuart Broad as he laces his size 12 bowling boots. He repeats the question, barely able to suppress his latent menace. The coach strikes his bowler with a taut white headband. Broad raises his head and looks squarely at Silverwood, a solitary tear rolling down his cheek. He purses his lips and forces out the word:

“Pppplaying.”

Much as I’d like to imagine that Chris Silverwood’s bowling rotation policy is indebted to JK Simmons’ Oscar-winning turn as a ruthless (and unhinged) Jazz instructor in the 2014 film ‘Whiplash’, the reality is probably tamer and less chilling. Tempting as it would be to dangle the threat of being rested over Broad’s head to inspire further fiery performances, he’s the first name down. Woakes and Archer keep their places; here’s hoping it inspires match-winning performances in Wood and Curran down the line. Root is at three and Stokes has a big sign above his head that reads: ‘Bowl only in case of emergency’.

Taha Hashim, Wisden.com features editor

Rory Burns
Dom Sibley
Zak Crawley
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Ollie Pope
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Dom Bess
Stuart Broad
James Anderson

There’s little need for controversy. If Ben Stokes is fit to bowl then England should bring back Zak Crawley and leave out one of their frontliners from the last Test, and it’s Archer who misses out in this XI. Sure, it’s not as tantalising without him or Wood, but Broad is a non-negotiable after 16 wickets in two Tests (it’s definitely his shirt now), Woakes remains a titan at home and while the great Anderson has been quiet, even just his record against Pakistan opening bat Shan Masood (six innings, six dismissals) could make a compelling enough case. If Stokes doesn’t pull through in time for Wednesday, revert back to the XI who did the job against West Indies in the third Test. Simples.