Five summer conundrums for England

Another England Test season begins with continued debate about Alastair Cook's opening partner. Barring a late surprise, Alex Hales has been handed another chance after making his debut in South Africa - four Tests which left more questions than answers. Two men before him, Adam Lyth and Sam Robson, the latter who has started this season like a train with three hundreds, had seven Tests before being moved on so it is fair decision to allow Hales at least a home series. But the position has become a poisoned chalice. August will mark four years since Andrew Strauss retired and it would be a brave person to say that come the end of the Pakistan series England will be any surer of a settled partner for Cook. And then there's the No. 3 spot. Nick Compton, who helped set up England's first Test victory in Durban, has retained his place but the Sri Lanka series has a feeling of now or never. Joe Root will stay at No. 4 for now, but a move up one spot seems the longer-term outcome, while James Vince will be able to bed in at No. 5 but could be another option for a promotion if change is required.

Jonny Bairstow is in the form of his life as a batsman and will head into the Sri Lanka series on the back of his thrilling 198 against Surrey. He was impressive with the bat in South Africa, securing an emotional maiden Test hundred at Newlands, but did not inspire confidence behind the stumps with up to seven opportunities - of varying difficulty - being missed. He is one of the best five batsmen in England, so there is a school of thought to push him back up the order and relinquish the gloves, although his county coach, Jason Gillespie, has said he could be a once-in-a-generation keeper-batsman if shown faith. A change won't happen in the short term, not least because Jos Buttler is at the IPL - although Ben Foakes could be another option now that he is keeping for Surrey - but there will be much scrutiny over Bairstow's glovework.

When James Anderson and Steven Finn were injured in South Africa, Chris Woakes was the man to step into the final XI but his name has barely been mentioned at the start of the season. Finn, who was outstanding when fit in South Africa, is expected to return to the side although he was worryingly short of rhythm against Nottinghamshire this week. But with the security of Ben Stokes as the allrounder, England can afford to hope that it was just a momentary blip for Finn and that things will click in Leeds, and beyond. However, it is a long season and injuries (or form issues) are inevitable. Mark Wood and Mark Footitt are on the injury list, so Jake Ball has earned a first call-up after taking 19 wickets in four matches following an impressive Lions tour. But, over seven Tests, more support may also be needed which could give hope to the likes of Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jamie Overton and Tom Curran - all of whom are in the performance squad.

Selection is a balancing act between the here and now and the future. England's challenge next winter - two Test series on the subcontinent in Bangladesh and India - will provide such contrasting conditions to home that it would seem difficult to give it much thought over the next few months. But could there be scope for a second spinner in England? Adil Rashid, who played the three Tests against Pakistan in the UAE, could slot into an allrounder's role if a batsman was not replaced by a batsman. Would a middle order from No. 4 to No. 8 of Root, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Rashid be that vulnerable? It's an unlikely route, but even if Moeen remains the sole spinner all summer it will be interesting following those on fringes because there is a tour place for someone who performs. Could Simon Kerrigan come again? Can Scott Borthwick bowl enough overs to stake a claim? Will Zafar Ansari end his injury jinx? Or is there a remarkable story to unfold for Monty Panesar?

One enforced change for the start of season is because of the awful situation to befall James Taylor. He had not nailed down the No. 5 spot, but would have earned the chance to do so. However, you could argue it is in the field where his absence will be most keenly felt. In South Africa he made himself into a dynamic short leg - with three stunning catches in Johannesburg and Centurion - and had quickly become a specialist in the position. They are tough boots to fill. Moeen has been under the lid for Worcestershire at the start of the season, but can't do it off his own bowling. Someone is going to have to adapt quickly.