Ashes 2nd Test burning questions: Selection dramas, runs at what cost?

After a thrilling game at Edgbaston, there are several elements both teams will have to ponder upon quickly. This Ashes series stops for no one, with the second Test at Lords on the 28th.

Burning questions will arise for both Brendon McCullum and Andrew McDonald.

Is Ben Duckett a Test player?

There is no doubt Duckett suits the Bazball model England has adopted, but is he a Test player?

Duckett was dismissed for just 12 and 19 in his two innings getting caught behind, playing with his hands. In fact, the opener has only left the ball six times in his 10-match Test career, leaving more concerns unanswered about his credentials.

Indeed, if he misfires again at Lords, McCullum could be looking for a replacement. James Vince could be the leading contender, averaging 72.37 with the bat in the County Championship for Hampshire.

The 32-year-old is not fresh to Test cricket, playing 13 Tests from 2016-2018. Could the door open for James Vince?

Another option could be Tom Westley, who is currently the third leading run-scorer in the County Championship Division One, with 625 runs at an average of 48.07. The Essex cricketer currently playing at No.3, last played in 2017 and looms as another option.

Runs, but at what cost?

The decision to elect a basically part-time wicketkeeper in Jonny Bairstow, who is not always the permanent keeper for Yorkshire, instead of traditional wicketkeeper Ben Foakes will come under the microscope.

There is no doubting Bairstow’s batting capabilities in international cricket. Before breaking his leg in a freak golfing accident October last year, he was arguably the most in-form batsman on the planet.

Bairstow averaged 66.31 out of his 19 innings in 2022, understandably making it impossible for England to leave out.

But with two dropped catches off Alex Carey on 26 and 52, a missed stumping of Cameron Green on 0, later on making 36, and a missed catching opportunity off Usman Khawaja on 9 in the second innings leaves the question of what is more important.

Are runs on flat pitches more valuable or taking your hard-to-come-by opportunities more valuable?

(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Foakes had an acceptable 32.20 average at the Test level in his 20 matches but was axed after the New Zealand Test series.

It will be intriguing to see if England will back Bairstow’s keeping or bite the bullet and place Foakes back for another player.

Will lack of planning cost England?

Bringing back Moeen Ali from retirement was already a stretch, but with the all-rounder’s nasty blister on his spinning finger, will they have another option?

The 36-year-old is clearly underdone with his last Test match all the way back in 2021 and with the lack of bowling this year in the IPL mainly bowling chop-out overs.

Have England prepared a plan B?

From the outside, it doesn’t look like England have, after Jack Leach’s surprise lower back stress fracture led to the rushed decision to call up Ali.

If Ali is unable to bowl for the second Test, England will have to make another unprepared call-up. The options are limited with a lack of depth in spin stocks.

A similar option could be 24-year-old batting-allrounder Will Jacks, who made his debut in Rawlipindi in December last year. The off-spinner made a six-wicket debut innings and could be the like-for-like replacement McCullum is looking for.

Rehan Ahmed, the 18-year-old leg spinner, could potentially come in, however, may not be ready at this stage. Callum Parkinson and Adil Rashid are long shots.

Can David Warner lift to save his spot?

With some modest scores of 9 and 36, David Warner is still not safe. He averages 18.16 from his last 12 innings in England.

In addition, since January 1, 2021, he is averaging a modest 28.44 in 35 innings including the standout 200 in the Boxing Day Test.

Warner and opening partner Khawaja have not made a single 100-run partnership in 28 innings. The last time was on a flat Rawalpindi wicket in early 2022.

Will Ollie Robinson make way for Mark Wood?

Some would say England were missing a strike bowler for the first Test, such as Mark Wood, the fastest bowler in the world. They instead chose the medium pace of Ollie Robinson, who looked pedestrian at times.

Wood had a brilliant tour of Australia last time, grabbing 17 wickets in four Test matches, scaring batsmen at times. Will the chirpy Robinson keep his spot?

What an amazing first Test at Edgbaston; who will come out trumps at Lords?