Archer or Robinson? Leach or Bess? Our writers pick their England XIs for the second Test against Pakistan

THOMAS BLOW, TEDDIE CASTERTON, NICK FRIEND, NICK HOWSON AND SAM MORSHEAD select the side they believe can complete a series win at The Ageas Bowl

• Broad fined 15 per cent of match fee and handed third demerit point
• Sibley coping well with extra scrutiny
• Lawrence leave England bubble after family bereavement

THOMAS BLOW

Jonny Bairstow has done well on his Yorkshire return, scoring 75 at No.3 against Nottinghamshire. Surely he is due another go soon, but because of Covid-19 protocols, he will not be able to make it in time for the second Test. Therefore, Zak Crawley should get a chance having performed well for a young player just making his way in the international game.

Contrary to popular belief, Jos Buttler is playing well at the minute and cannot be dropped. But Dominic Bess and James Anderson are not at their best and should be rested for the game, especially with Jack Leach and Sam Curran waiting patiently in the wings. I would continue to have faith in Jofra Archer, although it is tempting to pick Mark Wood.

My XI: Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Woakes, Curran, Broad, Leach, Archer

TEDDIE CASTERTON

With the news that Ben Stokes is leaving the bubble due to family reasons, and England’s less than pleasing performance with the bat, Zak Crawley and Ollie Robinson should come in as the replacement for the all-rounder.

The latter impressed in the first round of the Bob Willis Trophy and that should be enough to replace James Anderson.

Crawley comes in as the batting replacement for Stokes, who has played as an out-and-out batter in the last two Tests. This could certainly help skipper Root, who can now shift down to his preferred position at No.4.

The rest of the team remains the same, except for Jack Leach who replaces Dom Bess who is lacking consistency.

My XI: Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Robinson, Woakes, Leach, Broad, Archer

^{Zak Crawley is set to resume duties at No.3}

NICK FRIEND

It’s hard to pick these theoretical teams at the moment, given the guesswork around squad rotation. With Ben Stokes out of the remainder of the Test summer, Chris Woakes chose an opportune moment to rediscover his batting touch in Manchester. Zak Crawley slots back in as the next in line, with Joe Root returning to his favoured No.4 spot and Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler remaining at No.5 and No.6.

Among the bowlers, one suspects England will be keen to pick Sam Curran, given what he adds with the bat. On top of that, he bowls a similar pace to that with which Jason Holder had so much joy at the Ageas Bowl in the first Test of the series against West Indies.

Given the patterns that have emerged so far this summer, it would no surprise to see both James Anderson and Jofra Archer rested, though I would be tempted to stick with Anderson – he spoke earlier this week like a man desperate to redeem himself on the back of a rare poor display. That said, I would love to see Ollie Robinson make his Test debut. He is a serious talent.

My XI: Sibley, Burns, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Woakes, Curran, Bess, Robinson, Broad

NICK HOWSON

Zak Crawley has been messed around by England during his short international career. Already dropped twice, played in four different positions in the batting order, it is time the Kent man had a staple role in this team. Even if Dan Lawrence were available I would be giving Crawley the nod to replace Ben Stokes.

I would resist from making wholesale changes to the bowling attack, assuming everyone has come through unscathed, and try and get the series won at the first time of asking. That means Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer should remain. Giving James Anderson a rest seems a sensible thing to do given his performance in the first Test.

The final berth is a toss up between Ollie Robinson and Sam Curran. On an occasion of such enormity, I would give the Surrey man the nod given his previous performances on the big occasion, allowing England to fight fire, with fire with a left-arm seamer of their own.

My XI: Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Woakes, Curran, Bess, Archer, Broad

^{Sam Curran's last outing came in the second Test against West Indies}

SAM MORSHEAD

There are two questions pressing for England's selectors and captain Joe Root: is there a need for an extra batsman, and do we drop Jimmy Anderson?

Ben Stokes' absence with the bat means rebalancing the side. While England came through the first Test with six recognised batsmen, an out-of-nick allrounder and four bowlers, it does not feel like a sustainable approach longer term - and with Stokes missing, it is even more fragile.

I would, therefore, select both Zak Crawley as Ben Stokes' replacement and an extra batsman. That would have been Dan Lawrence had it not been for a family bereavement meaning his departure from the bubble, but process of elimination leaves James Bracey.

Jos Buttler's record at No.6 suggests he shouldn't be moved, so Bracey specialises as a batsman at seven. It's not a natural role for him, but provided England bat deep he has the know-how to survive and manipulate the second new ball. 

I would send at least one of Dom Bess and Jack Leach back to Somerset for gametime, and use Root as a holding offspinner, brought in when the four-pronged seam attack needs a rest. The evidence for dropping Anderson is flimsy, though the alternative option - Ollie Robinson - is an incredibly exciting prospect. I don't see the case for Mark Wood, especially given the outcome of England's decision to pick both him and Jofra Archer in the first Test against West Indies.

My XI: Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Bracey, Woakes, Broad, Archer, Anderson

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