By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

The composition of England's Test squad to tour Pakistan has thrown up some surprises.

Geraint Jones would rather Chris Read have been selected, because Prior (above) is a like-for-like replacement for Jones

I think there are three key areas of selection that have been highlighted this year.

Although the summer was unbelievably successful, there remain big talking points about a back-up for the seam attack, a back-up wicket-keeper and a back-up spinner.

It is a cautionary note that while there is a very talented and successful core of cricketers there are only 11 of them, and outside of that it appears that the selectors are adopting a flexible approach.

It goes to show that an injury or two, like we saw at The Oval against Australia, could lead to England being exposed.

Matt Prior is an interesting selection.

You can definitely say that Geraint Jones would rather Chris Read have been selected, because Prior is a like-for-like replacement for Jones.

England need to play five bowlers for the balance of the side, so the number seven, needs to be able to bat. While they are going down that route, they feel they cannot pick Read.

They will have to play five bowlers in Pakistan and it is absolutely key to this England team that the wicket-keeper can bat and bat well.

It is now apparent that even if Jones makes more mistakes, it will be a like-for-like such as Prior, not a glovesman, who replaces him.

Alex Loudon is a good selection because he bats and tries something different with the ball

I think in the short term it looks bleak for Read, but the debate will always go on. For the moment, Duncan Fletcher, who is a big Jones fan, looks like he has got the rest of the selectors on side.

The selection of Shaun Udal certainly sticks out from this squad. Again it shows what little there is behind the side - the question of England's second spinner has been going on for years.

Alex Loudon is another spinner in the mix, and he is a youngster England can work on.

He has got a lot of variety in his bowling, works very hard on his orthodox off-spin deliveries and has got a 'doosra'.

What is a 'doosra'?

I think people accept these days that finger spinners have to bring something rather more and Loudon is a good selection because he bats and tries something different with the ball.

Although there are three spinners in the squad, England will probably stick with the four seamers because they are so strong. England will consider that their best way of winning.

England's pace attack is well-equipped for Pakistan because they know how to reverse swing and that might be the key to success.

The selectors seem happy with the batting line-up and it is a quality one.

The squad will get very little preparation when they go over there so I think Ian Bell will play in the first Test, despite his ordinary Ashes performance.

There is pressure on Bell, not least from Paul Collingwood - that innings at The Oval must be the best 10 he has ever scored. He batted for over an hour under real pressure, so he will be in the frame.

The other area of note surrounds Darren Gough and the one-day team.

It seems Gough has taken a bit of a gamble by asking to be rested.

Whether he reckons his days are numbered I don't know, but he has never stood down before and has always been desperate to tour with England.

But Gough's exit has provided Durham's Liam Plunkett with a real opportunity.

He comes with a great reputation from Durham and is a very promising young bowler. He has a good chance of playing while he is out there, too.