FEATURE: England's Ashes squad rated and slated - should Ballance and Vince really be going?

Eurosport’s Tom Bennett casts his eye over every member of the squad, assessing the strengths that could win England the Ashes… and the weaknesses that will have Australia licking their lips.

England’s captain and best player holds the key to their Ashes chances. Score runs and the team have a chance, but much depends on Root's state of mind and it will be interesting to see if he stays at his preferred slot of four or is forced to move up to three out of necessity rather than desire.

If there were any doubts over Moeen Ali’s place in the test side before the summer, his performances against South Africa and the West Indies ended those completely. Moeen is a vital part of this England team, producing runs when it matters most and possessing a wicket-taking ability that he is still to get full credit for. But it’s more than just stats and figures with Moeen. His team-mates trust him and that means an awful lot.

It’s easy to forget, but at the start of the summer the first whispers had begun to surface about Jimmy coming to the end of his career. What followed was his best-ever summer figures in an England shirt. Can he produce the same lateral movement with the Kookaburra down under? Do so and he will have cemented his reputation as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Bairstow’s summer wasn’t up to his previously high standards but he’s nailed on as a starter. The rise of Ben Foakes means England do have the option of moving him up the order and relieving him of duties with the gloves if need be, but for now Bairstow remains England’s first choice behind the stumps.

We come to the first contentious selection of the group. Ball is a model pro and a talented prospect, but he has shown little that will worry Australia’s batsman. Ball doesn’t possesses the movement of England’s senior seamers and lacks the blistering pace that would set him apart in the attack.

How many chances does Gary Balance need? The batsman is a run machine for his county, Yorkshire, and began his test career superbly. But he’s been worked out at the top level and has done nothing to show that he has changed the technique that makes him an easy target for express bowlers who can nip the ball around late. The fact he is popular within the squad must have played a part in his selection. There’s more on Ballance later…

Broad was always going to travel if fit, but he’ll be keen to produce more than just the one hot streak in this series.

Cook has fond memories of touring Australia. But never before will he have made the trip with so much resting on his shoulders. Cook and Root are the only established figures in England’s top five and it is simply imperative that they pile on the runs.

Crane has talent, and he has a proven threat on Australian surfaces. But that’s about as far as the justifications for his place in the squad stretch. The youngster can barely get in the Hampshire side and the fact that he has been named ahead of Adil Rashid and Jack Leach as the second spinner gives both of that pair reason to feel aggrieved.

It’s not often that the selection of a back-up wicket keeper peaks people’s interest, but Foakes inclusion should. The gloveman is arguably the best in county cricket, and he can hold a bat too. With Bairstow having a strong case to make a move up the order, Foakes could be in the side sooner than many suspect.

A naturally attacking batter, Malan displayed excellent grit and temperament to knuckle down in the summer and earn himself a shot at the Ashes. It won’t take more than a couple of low scores before the knives start to be sharpened however.

A bustling fast-medium bowler with the ability to bat a bit – Overton is a surprise but nevertheless conservative pick. It’s slightly concerning that he wasn’t given a game this summer if the selectors genuinely think he’s capable of being a front-line seamer in the Ashes.

Does anyone have a negative word to say about Stokes? Actually, don’t answer that. England’s star all-rounder has been constantly improving with both bat and ball… but it is his temperament that remains the problem and even if his hand injury heals in time, the fact he sustained the break in a bar in Bristol at 2:30am is likely to be mentioned once or twice during his time down under.

Stoneman looked solid at the top of the order in his brief time partnering Cook. England are crying out for somebody to tie that spot down and Stoneman has shown in county cricket over recent years that he has what it takes to be that man. We’ll know for sure by the end of the series.

Vince is an attractive batsman and looked like he could have made the step up in his previous sojourn in an England shirt. But he didn’t, while his form for Hampshire has barely made an impression this summer. Where will he bat? Three? Five? He slots in at four for his county, which hardly answers this question…

Woakes at his best will be a major asset for England. But he has struggled to get his pace back up after his injury and England’s coaches will be desperate to get that spark back before the series gets underway.

The power in England’s middle order has bailed them out time and again. That trio of Stokes, Bairstow and Ali will no doubt be asked to deliver again under pressure in Australia. Aside from them, it is England’s experienced quartet who will bear the brunt of the responsibility. Anderson and Broad have to find their groove with the Kookaburra ball, while Root and Cook are the key to England’s chances of building big totals.

That core is capable of delivering something special for England this winter. But if they do it will be an achievement worthy of its place in history.

This selection has not solved the problems in England’s batting order. They need to find a number three, but none of those selected is a natural fit at three, which means either forcing Root out of his comfortable position or shoehorning in Ballance or Vince at least one spot too high in the order. The Australian bowlers will more than fancy their chances of exploiting Ballance’s struggles against the fast swinging ball, and expect a number of LBW shouts if he does get the nod. While Vince’s biggest challenge will be to show he is capable of more than just pretty 20s. If the solution to England’s battling woes exists in this squad it will be more than just a surprise.

There is a notable lack of pace in this squad. No Mark Wood due to lack of fitness and no Steven Finn due to the lingering reliability issues leaves England with an attack that lacks variety. And if Ali breaks down on the morning of a test will the team really turn to the unproven Crane? It seems unlikely. England’s hope for a varied attack will rely on Woakes getting his swagger back.