Chris Silverwood laments difficult England selection dilemma as Ashes loom

A schedule including six Tests in seven weeks means rotation has been necessary this summer, even with the tour of Australia on the horizon in 2021-22

• Silverwood backs earlier start time for Tests
• Denly eager to force his way back into contention

When England are either clutching the Ashes or despairing at their failure in Australia once again, they may look back at this unique summer as being key to the outcome.

A schedule of six Tests in seven weeks will either be deemed to have overworked certain members of their pace attack or spread them too thinly across the summer.

Spinner Dom Bess has played five Tests, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and James Anderson four, Jofra Archer just three, Sam Curran has played twice while Mark Wood featured once at the start of the summer, but not since.

Top of the agenda ahead of the Ashes in 2021-22 has been building a credible battery of bowlers, with pace taking precedent. But for the second Pakistan Test, neither of the express quicks Archer or Wood were called on. Olly Stone meanwhile is on the treatment table, again.

Indeed, Sussex's medium-pacer Ollie Robinson appeared closer to selection than either of the 90mph+ pair. It was another confusing layer to the selection policy, albeit difficult to judge this summer, which continues to baffle.

It is a tough balance to strike. Rotation, remuneration, conditioning, and development are all under consideration. Additionally, there is the small matter of beating West Indies, overcoming Pakistan, continuing the push to world No.1 and not losing ground in the World Test Championship. And playing an adaptable, entertaining brand of cricket transferable around the world.

The reality is, five Tests in, England are yet to strike that balance.

"We're going to keep all options open," Silverwood said two days out from the third Test against Pakistan. "There is always an eye on the future but there is a here and now as well and we're playing against a good side here. We're going to field a side which we believe can beat them.

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"It is very difficult if I'm honest. You look at what you need in the here and now. You look down the line at what we potentially need. It is a difficult balance to get. 

"We'll do our best to strike that balance more often than not. At the same time when I look at the squad, we picked from last time we're still building for the future. 

"There are a lot of young lads in there and they're going potentially going to feature in the Ashes as well. We are building for the future, but not just from a bowling point of view but a holistic point of view as well.

"We've tried to build an attack where we can cover everything off and then once you've got that group you can choose from them. What we're trying to do is build an attack that has got experience, pace, swing, movement. Let's keep building that group of bowlers and see where we get to."

Silverwood refused to be fully drawn on whether the attack at The Ageas Bowl would be changed, given the limited play in the second Test. Fully recharged or not, sticking with the same quartet would surely contradict the idea of wanting to build a solid foundation of seamers. But then again, it is impossible to please everyone.

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