The key Ashes questions thrown up by England’s World Cup triumph
England’s one-day heroes have given the selectors plenty to ponder ahead of the Test showdown with Australia.
The Ashes series starts at Edgbaston on August 1 and England’s selectors are set to pick their squad during next week’s warm-up Test match against Ireland.
Here, PA takes a look at how England’s thrilling World Cup triumph could affect the selectors’ thinking in their bid to regain the urn.
Should Roy be Ashes top pick?
Jason Roy was pivotal to England’s success at the World Cup, scoring 443 runs at average of 63.28 at the top of the order and there have been calls for him to open the batting against Australia. Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings and Joe Denly all failed to nail down an Ashes place during the series defeat in the West Indies earlier in the year and England head coach Trevor Bayliss has confirmed Roy is a strong contender. Doubts persist over whether the Surrey batsman can carry his match-winning white-ball form into the Test arena, but he has the optimum amount of swagger to take the fight to Australia and deserves the chance.
What about Bairstow for opening role?
Bairstow or Foakes to keep wicket?
Is Archer ready to make his Test bow?
Jofra Archer’s starring role with the ball throughout the World Cup has catapulted him into the Ashes frame. He was playing club cricket for Horsham last year, but his 20 wickets at 23.05 runs each during the tournament and his nerveless ability to bowl consistently quick make him a shoo-in for an Ashes place. The 24-year-old proved he can handle the pressure by holding his nerve in the final’s nail-biting super over. James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Sam Curran, plus World Cup team-mates Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, are all in contention, but the selectors must find room for Archer.
