Chris Silverwood fires the starting pistol on Ollie Robinson v Craig Overton Test selection race

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Not Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier or Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal, but England are facing their own heavyweight battle for selection ahead of next month's New Zealand Tests.

Sussex's Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton of Somerset might be beneficiaries of the absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer to injury and Chris Woakes and Sam Curran following a period of quarantine after the abandoned Indian Premier League, but it is an opportunity that provides a clear pathway to the Ashes in Australia.

It isn't like both players aren't here on merit. Robinson has bowled with the ball on a string for the past three-and-a-half years, taking his 195 first-class wickets in that period at 17.29. He was part of two squads for the second Tests of the West Indies and Pakistan series last summer but found himself overlooked for selection. But he has come back stronger this summer.

Overton is one of county cricket's great constants and the results are once again there for all to see. Thirty-two wickets make him the LV-Insurance County Championship's most potent seamer. His four Test outings count against him, however, particularly given that his most valuable contribution came in keeping Australia from retaining the Ashes until the final hour at Old Trafford in September 2019; his 105-ball 21 was spread over nearly three hours and very nearly did the trick.

Along with his batting, which probably trumps that of his 27-year-old compatriot from Hove and was vital in Somerset's run to last year's Bob Willis Trophy final, Overton has his foot firmly in the door. Selected for a specialised fast-bowling central contract last winter, he was ordered to go away and improve not just on the intensity of his spells but his staying power and ability to go again. There has been a good response.

^{Ollie Robinson went within touching distance of a Test debut last summer}

"We asked him to go out there and keep the intensity all the way through his spells," said Silverwood, "and that is what he has done. He's got results and rewards for that."

All but ruling out either batting at No.7 and trying to fill the Stokes, Woakes or Curran void, the former Essex coach has laid the foundations for a one-on-one tussle for selection to face the Kiwis at Lord's (June 2-6) and Edgbaston (June 10-14).

"The two of them are competing realistically," said Silverwood, following confirmation of his first squad as a selector. "They've done exceptionally well hence they're both in the squad. It is very difficult to split the two of them on performances.

"What I can't fault is their attitude that they show on the field whilst they've been in-game. Two fantastic cricketers with a potential opportunity in front of them.

"The two of them are very capable with the bat and give us the options in the seven-eight area. You lose a Woakes, Curran or Stokes and it is very difficult to balance the side. The more people we can get through that are comfortable fulfilling those roles. These guys are fantastic cricketers and they're going to get an opportunity now which really excites me."

^{Craig Overton has failed to fulfil his potential on his four Test appearances}

He added: "With your Stokes, Woakes and Curran missing it does leave a gap and whichever way we cut the team up it could look a bit unbalanced. The options are there for us. Do you play seven batters and four bowlers, or those four bowlers do you play three seamers? They are all things we've got to discuss."

Silverwood perhaps let slip his plans for next month's back-to-back Tests when he confirmed that none of the squad who travels for the Ashes this winter would be untested. Three of Overton's outings have indeed come against Australia and two on the last trip down under. Given the deluge of players being held back for India in August and September, Robinson's opportunity is surely now or he might suddenly have an open calendar this winter.

The head coach-selector also confirmed that despite Stuart Broad's desires, the fast-bowling core would be rotated this summer. After missing last year's opener against the West Indies and taking then chief selector Ed Smith to task publicly, James Anderson and Broad could be kept apart again.

Yet the more interesting duel for selection comes elsewhere. Even with both at 27, it feels like the fresh blood of Robinson against the tried and tested consistency of Overton. Expecting sparks to fly might be an overstatement but it is an intriguing skirmish for the middle ground during the first half of England's Test summer.

Let battle commence.