England won't jump to conclusions based on Edgbaston defeat but Joe Root non-committal over Moeen Ali

SAM MORSHEAD AT EDGBASTON: Moeen rarely troubled the Australian batsmen on a wicket which gave plenty of assistance to the spinners, and on which Nathan Lyon claimed nine victims in the match

Joe Root has insisted England will not make knee-jerk selection decisions in wake of their disappointing defeat at Edgbaston, as the places of a handful of senior players come under serious scrutiny.

England were rattled out for 146 in their second innings of the first Ashes Test on Monday to lose by 251 runs, despite having taken a lead on first-innings earlier in the game.

They were hampered by the absence of Jimmy Anderson because of a calf injury, and by poor performances with bat and ball from several key figures.

Moeen Ali rarely troubled the Australian batsmen on a wicket which gave plenty of assistance to the spinners, and on which Nathan Lyon claimed nine victims in the match, while between them Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler contributed only 20 runs.

Moeen's spot looks the most at risk, with the allrounder having accepted his batting form has dipped so far that he should now be judged primarily on his bowling input, and Jack Leach could find himself recalled for the second Test at Lord's, which is due to start on August 14.

^{Moeen Ali struggled with bat and ball at Edgbaston}

Leach's inclusion would also help, in theory, in the search for a way to dismiss Steve Smith, who has a significantly lower Test average against left-arm and legspin than all other methods of delivery over the course of his career.

Bairstow, who averages less than 23 with the bat in Tests since the start of 2018, could also be in danger. Ben Foakes is a ready-made replacement who has already proved himself capable in the international arena, and is arguably the finest gloveman in the country.

"It’s very easy to make emotional decisions right now. We're in a fortunate position where there's a long time between these two Test matches," said Root. "We've got make sure we take in all the information about how we want to approach the next game and make a call from there.

"Moeen didn’t have his best day yesterday. That can’t happen every game for someone (like him). With Mo, you've got to remember how threatening he can be and what an asset he has been to this team in the past.

"Whenever written off before, he generally comes back stronger, especially in English conditions.

"He'll be a bit disappointed about yesterday went and how this game's gone but I'm sure he'll dust himself down and make sure he's in a good head space going into Lord's."

Root was pressed again on Moeen during the England captain's post-match press conference, and asked whether his comments represented support for the offspinner, and commitment to including him in the XI for Lord's.

The captain did not give a definitive answer.

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"We’ve got to make sure we’re very clear about we approach the next game and not make too many emotional decisions going into Lord’s. We'll sit down as a selection panel and pick a squad from there," he said.

One man who is almost certain to be absent at the home of cricket is Anderson.

England still have not given public comment on the findings of a scan on the seamer's right calf on Thursday, but he looked in discomfort when he came out to bat on Monday.

Anderson is expected to undergo more tests this week but there is general acceptance that he will not be fit for at least the second meeting with Australia.

Jofra Archer will be on standby. Archer is due to get red-ball practice in when he turns out for Sussex's second XI against Gloucestershire at Blackstone CC in a three-day game which is due to start on Tuesday.

Asked whether he regretted the decision to include Anderson in the side for the Edgbaston Test, given the Lancashire man managed just four overs in the entire game, Root said: No, not at all.

^{Jimmy Anderson is struggling with a calf injury}

"He passed every medical testing. He was fit to play. It's one of those freak scenarios where he pulled up – because it’s the same calf, we're not sure whether it's a slightly different injury, we'll have to wait to see what the scans say.

"But it's an easy thing to look back on and say we'd have done things differently. It was a unanimous decision for him to play."

England last lost the first match of a home Ashes series in 2005, while Australia have not won at Edgbaston in any format since 2001.

The momentum is with the visitors, then, but England's self-belief has not been dented, according to their captain.

"We’ve got the confidence that we need to do it. We'd have much preferred to be sat here 1-0 up but we've got four games and plenty of time to think things through before the next one.

"It's just very important that we’re very clear and realistic about how things turned out this time round and put them right and start really strongly in the next game."

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