BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | England on tenterhooks



By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

It doesn't seem to matter what precautions the selectors take to protect their most precious players, injuries still occur at the worst possible moment.

The bad news is that there is still an outside chance that England's squad of 13, named two days later than expected on Saturday, could change again.

White and Cork back for Lord's

England squad profiles

Darren Gough and Mark Butcher are both waiting to play a serious part in their current Championship matches which are, in effect, fitness tests on their injured knees.

In Dominic Cork and Craig White, England have a couple who can offer different options

Alex Tudor's frailty is becoming a serious concern. He appeared to have accepted last year that he has to go through aches and pains in order to be a top class fast bowler.

But, once again, this season has been blighted by the sort of niggles that he really should be trying to ignore.

Fast bowling is not a pain-free experience - far from it - yet he seems unable to play more than two consecutive games without breaking down.

Much more, and he might find himself considered too much of a liability to take to Australia.

Mark Butcher
Butcher is a ready-made opener, if he proves fit
His position seems to have been the most difficult to fill because of his growing ability with the bat.

As we know, seam bowling all-rounders are thin on the ground, but in choosing Dominic Cork and Craig White, England have a couple who can offer different options.

My guess is that if the weather is humid and overcast, Cork will be given the chance to make amends for his rather humbling performance against Sri Lanka earlier this summer.

But if it is dry and unlikely to swing, White will get the nod because of his ability to bowl off-cutters.

They are having similar seasons with the bat - both averaging 30, or thereabouts - but Cork is having an outstanding summer with the ball, heading the averages with 49 wickets at 16 each.

Difficult choices

The absence of Trescothick is a massive blow. He has been in wonderful form and rarely fails to get the innings away to a positive start.

Glamorgan's Simon Jones
Jones should debut if Gough fails to pull through
At least, in Butcher, England have another ready-made opener to move up one place.

And although the selectors will have considered Robert Key and Ian Bell, John Crawley's prowess at playing spin bowling has earned him the vote and he'll probably bat at three.

The final XI is more difficult to predict. I suspect that White will get the nod over Cork - but will the selectors finally take the plunge and let Simon Jones off the leash?

Although Matthew Hoggard's confidence has been surprisingly fragile this summer, Jones' chance probably depends on how Gough comes through the Roses match.