Graham Gooch is England's leading run-scorer in Test history

He was speaking out after it took spinner Monty Panesar three Tests before being named in the starting XI.

And he was also surprised that Geraint Jones had won back his wicket-keeping role ahead of his rival Chris Read.

Gooch told Five Live's Sportsweek: "There are big questions over the selection and make-up of the side."

A former England captain and a member of sides to have won the Ashes home and away, Gooch added: "One of the best parts of English cricket over the past 12 months has been the emergence of Panesar as a class bowler.

"I do not think against Australia you can afford not to have your best bowlers in the side - even if it affects the balance of the team.

I would have thought a senior member of the selection panel being on hand would be something to be considered Graham Gooch

"He is a potential match-winner.

"The wicket-keeping position is another one. Jones has been picked for a reason because he is the stronger batter, but he has not been getting runs.

"The selection process was put in place in the summer where Read and Panesar were playing, then as soon as they go on tour, that was changed around.

"I think there have to be some checks and balances with the selection system."

Once the selectors had decided on their squad to tour Australia final team selection was down to coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Andrew Flintoff, with assistance from some senior players.

The two selectors who assist Fletcher when picking squads for home Tests, David Graveney and Geoff Miller, had no say in the matter.

Duncan Fletcher is the best coach England have had Alec Stewart

Gooch, once touted as a future supremo of English cricket after retiring in the early 1990s, feels that's wrong, adding: "You need a different view from someone to oversee the whole situation.

"When I started, there used to be a tour manager, to give a dispassioned view on the side and I would have thought a senior member of the selection panel being on hand would be something to be considered.

"Because if England lose the Ashes, and it looks that way, then the question is going to be 'who is accountable'?"

Gooch, former head coach at Essex where he remains in an ambassadorial role, backed Fletcher as a "superb coach", a sentiment echoed by another former England captain, Alec Stewart.