Nick Hoult

nick hoult Ollie Pope suddenly has real competition for the No 3 berth - Getty Images/Hannah Peters

If you are already thinking about the Ashes, you can be sure the England hierarchy are too – our team have go at selecting the first Test XI

England travel to Australia at the end of the year - AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth England could play the Ashes twice every three years under radical proposals to overhaul Test cricket.

England could play the Ashes twice every three years under radical proposals to overhaul test cricket.

It is 2003 revisited as players are left in an invidious position by politicians to decide whether to boycott Afghanistan trip

James Anderson wants to wear the red rose once more and play for Lancashire at the age of 43 next season - Luke Adams/Lancashire CCC via PA Wire

James Anderson worked with England's bowlers during their tour to New Zealand this winter - AP/Ashwini Bhatia

Veteran will continue to help country’s bowlers on a freelance basis, but will resume his county career across all formats

Exclusive: England’s leading Test wicket-taker is in talks about resuming Lancashire career a year after enforced international retirement

Series has descended into debacle for England, who are staring down the barrel of a 16-0 whitewash and complete humiliation Down Under