The Ashes 2015: Biggest Selection Debates for England and Australia
Few surprises are expected in the England and Australia sides that take to the field in the 2015 Ashes opener next week.
That's not to say there aren't some tricky conundrums for the selectors to figure out in Cardiff.
For England there are questions in the middle order and in the spin department. For the Aussies the chief decision regards the makeup of the seam attack, who will open with David Warner and the batsman at No. 6.
Lets take a closer look at the biggest selection debates.
England: Who Bats at No. 3
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Gary Ballance is suffering from second-season syndrome. After a stellar start to his international career, the Yorkshire-batsman looked completely out of sorts against New Zealand.
It wasn't just the low scores that were a worry. The manner of the dismissals was a big cause for concern too. The 25-year-old was dismissed by left-arm seamer Trent Boult three times. He can expect a similar examination from southpaws Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson in Cardiff.
So what's the alternative if Ballance does get the chop? Joe Root seems destined to move to No. 3 sometime in his career, but now is not the time given his prodigious feats at No. 5. Ian Bell? He's been suffering recently too.
If the selectors were feeling really bold, they'd promote Moeen Ali to No. 3 and add Adil Rashid into the mix. It's almost certain they won't, though.
If Ballance fails early on, expect a callup for Alex Hales who has impressed batting at No. 3 in the first-class game this season.
Prediction: Ballance will start the series.
Australia: Who Opens With David Warner?
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David Warner is a certainty to start the Ashes, but who will be walking out with him to open the batting in Cardiff?
Shaun Marsh is the man in possession following the tour of the West Indies. He impressed during the warm-up match against Kent, scoring 114. It would be hard to axe a man who scored 69 in his last Test innings.
If the pitch in Cardiff is a green seamer, the selectors may opt for veteran Chris Rogers, though.
The Lord's ticket saga is an unwanted distraction but the 37-year-old has a huge amount of experience in English conditions and would be unfazed by whatever is thrown his way.
Prediction: Australia will give Marsh another crack.
England: Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid or Both?
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As the only spinner picked for England's pre-Ashes “bonding camp,” the selectors gave a huge vote of confidence to Moeen Ali.
The England management dropped a double risk during the tour of the West Indies. They rushed Moeen back from injury too quickly, leaving him to play catch up in the Caribbean and against New Zealand.
They also missed the chance to take a look at Adil Rashid in a Test match. The Yorkshire leggie impressed during the one-day series against New Zealand, staking a solid claim for a five-day call.
One of England's biggest Achilles' heels in recent years has been their inability to dismiss tail-enders. An economy rate of over five may be an acceptable trade-off if Rashid can clean up the Australian lower order.
There's a case for picking both of them if conditions suit. With sultry conditions forecast over the next few weeks, pitches could get very dry.
Prediction: Moeen starts in Cardiff; Rashid wins a maiden Test cap later in the series.
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Australia: Which Three Seamers Will Start?
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Five into three won't go, so who's the pick from Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle?
Barring injury, Starc seems certain to open the bowling in Cardiff. Given the way he destroyed England during the last Ashes series, Johnson will be joining him.
Before the tour to the West Indies, the smart money was on Ryan Harris being the third wheel. Josh Hazlewood's performances changed all that. The youngster was trusted with the new ball in the Caribbean and justified that faith with a string of fine performances.
Prediction: Australia have never shied away from picking young players, so despite Harris' impressive record against England, Hazlewood will get the nod.
England: What to Do About Ian Bell
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If Alastair Cook is England's equivalent of a Volvo—solid, reliable, a little dull to look at—Ian Bell is something a little racier.
Even easy-on-the-eye sports cars need a service every now and again. England will be hoping that a spell back with Warwickshire is just the tune-up Bell needs.
The 33-year-old looked out of touch for much of the West Indies tour, and the sorry run continued against New Zealand. He remains England's most technically gifted batsman, though, and deserves his place despite the recent lean trot.
Only Kevin Pietersen would match Bell's record of four Ashes series victories against Australia. Let's face it, there's more chance of Mark Ramprakash getting a recall than KP under the current regime.
Prediction: Bell Starts in Cardiff and will enjoy a fine Ashes series.
Australia: Who Bats at No. 6?
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The No. 6 position is a straight shootout between Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh.
Watson looked a little out of sorts during the recent tour of the West Indies, scoring just 36 runs in his two visits to the middle. His trip to England started in similarly stodgy fashion with a grinding 21 in the first innings against Kent.
Marsh put down a marker in the game against Kent, smashing 101 from just 94 balls. The 23-year-old certainly has talent but is a relatively unknown quantity in the game's highest form.
Speaking to reporters after the game against Kent, coach Darren Lehmann said (via Australia's Daily Telegraph), "We need Watto bowling and he'll definitely bowl in the next tour game, so that's going to be a key for us."
Both can be destructive with the bat, but Watson's miserly bowling is likely to give him the edge over his younger rival.
Prediction: Watson will start in Cardiff.
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