England might recall James Vince and Gary Ballance for Ashes

England selectors might recall the likes of James Vince and Gary Ballance when they pick the squad for Ashes on Wednesday. The prestigious series will be played in Australia this time in November. The selectors will have a number of issues to look upon as the top order of the Test side is in disarray apart from Alastair Cook and Joe Root. They tried different players across the summer but no one made the most of the opportunity presented.

England won the both the recently concluded series against South Africa and Windies emphatically but the opposition exposed their top order time and again. Cook, Root and Ben Stokes are the only certain players in the batting order and the other spots are yet to be filled convincingly by other players. Hence the selectors might go back to their fallen stars for Ashes hoping weak links don’t get exposed.

Trevor Bayliss in favour of Vince and Ballance

Australia should have figured out the weakness of the visiting side already and the coach Trevor Bayliss does not want to take any chance on this tour. He is reluctant to take a player without any international experience on such a huge assignment. So there is a stark possibility that Vince and Ballance might return to fill the void. Mark Stoneman, who was not convincing in the Tests against Windies might keep his spot along with Tom Westley in the squad.

It is doubtful that Alex Hales who is now playing in the middle-order in red-ball cricket after 11 Tests as an opener will be included either. Also, Haseeb Hameed, who started his Test career in India, is set to miss out due to a broken finger. Dawid Malan might just make it as he scored a couple of half-centuries against Windies albeit rusty. But his place in the playing eleven is far from certain.

England will play three tour games ahead of the Ashes in Perth, Adelaide and Townsville. There is a possibility of a three-way shootout between Ballance, Vince and Westley for the No.3 spot at the Gabba. Also, the middle order position of No. 5 is up for grabs especially if Malan fails early on the tour.

The bowling attack looks set despite the talented Toby Roland-Jones getting injured ahead of the squad selection. James Anderson and Stuart Broad would make it to the eleven on any day. Also, Chris Woakes is set to return to the side along with Mark Wood who is returning from a heel injury. The all-round option of Ben Stokes is always available. The conundrum in the batting order might be giving the Test skipper Joe Root sleepless nights right now.