England Victory Causes Selection Conundrum

England owe their victory in Mumbai to the new boys, who would not have played had the team been at full strength. The problems this causes with selection may be more palatable than those caused by a defeat, but that doesn't make them any simpler.

The assumption of many is that Trescothick will waltz back into the team when he makes himself available for selection. For this to happen a number of issues need to be addressed. Firstly he needs to confirm his availability for next winter's tour to Australia; without this guarantee his selection would be shortsighted. Secondly his position in the team needs to be considered. Cook is an excellent opener and has proved himself at test level; he is the man in possession of the opener's spot alongside Strauss. Trescothick's lack of foot movement sometimes lets him down against the new ball and his skill against the spinners suggests that he should bat in the middle order. However, assuming that Vaughan is fit and Pietersen is retained, there is only one available space in the middle order. This position would be contested by Trescothick, Bell, Shah and Collingwood. In my view Trescothick does not come top of this list.

In previous years players could miss tours, safe in the knowledge that the dearth of talent available to the selectors would ensure the continuation of their test careers. This is no longer the case and if those who played in the series against India maintain both their fitness and their form, Trescothick should be made to realise this.