Gubbins as opener, resting Broad and Buttler or Bairstow up to No.3... Simon Hughes' squad for Sri Lanka

SIMON HUGHES: The key for England in Sri Lanka will be having a stable opening partnership which can handle low, spinning pitches... and I'd want a right-hander in the top three who has an ability to score reasonably quickly against the new-ish ball

^{Jos Buttler, left, and Nick Gubbins}

The key for England in Sri Lanka will be having a stable opening partnership of people who can handle low, spinning pitches.

For that reason, I would pick as my No.1 Nick Gubbins because I like the way he is adaptable, plus I have seen him play spin and he looks competent.

He is a pro-active batsman who looks to be positive without being reckless. He’s also highly intelligent and a smart cricketer.

I know his average this summer has not been incredible but I feel he has the game to raise it to Test level.

He handled the India A spinners competently at Worcester. I was very impressed in 2016 when he had an outstanding season in the way that he adapted to different styles of bowling, changing his guard and approach specifically for each bowler and he talks intelligently about the challenges of different angles and different conditions. I feel he would adapt well to any situation.

^{Rory Burns, the Surrey batsman, looks likely to be called up}

His partner would be Rory Burns, purely because he has a tremendous temperament at the wicket and knows his limitations and has worked out ways of scoring, exactly like Alastair Cook did.

I would put serious consideration into batting Jos Buttler or possibly Jonny Bairstow at No.3. I want a right-hander in the top three and someone who has an ability to score reasonably quickly against a new-ish ball.

Facing the new ball is the best time to bat in Sri Lanka and there is an opportunity to get ahead of the game with positive players.

I wouldn’t be playing Keaton Jennings because I feel he is too static; he’s had enough opportunities and failed too many times.

My spare batsman would be Ollie Pope, who has shown in limited opportunities that he has a very adaptable game but also has a very good defence. He’s been around the team this summer, as well as the two Tests that he’s played and hasn’t looked overawed by any situation he’s been in. James Vince gets a tour berth by virtue of his determination to apply himself to batting for a long time for Hampshire.

^{Simon Hughes would give Stuart Broad a rest}

Bowling-wise, I think Sam Curran will have a useful impact. He’s a similar bowler to Chaminda Vaas, and the slightly shorter, skiddier bowlers who can make the ball move either way in the air are invaluable in Sri Lanka because the ball tends to keep low and there’s always an lbw opportunity.

I wouldn’t take Stuart Broad because I think tall bowlers who try to hit the seam and make it move around are redundant in Sri Lanka.

Spin-wise, Moeen Ali has done well but he needs someone to partner him who can spin it the other way. The man in residence before he got injured was Jack Leach. He’s still taking hauls in county cricket and he has experience on turning pitches, which is invaluable. He would be my second spinner.

I’d have Adil Rashid in the party and possibly think about playing him as a third spinner if the pitch is really a snakepit but he wouldn’t be in my first-choice XI.

I’d like to take one young quick bowler - probably Jamie Overton.

My squad: Root (c), Burns, Gubbins, Buttler, Bairstow (w/k), Vince, Pope, Stokes, Moeen, Curran, Woakes, Anderson, Rashid, Leach, J Overton