All summer, England have avoided introducing youngsters to the side, but now they have no choice. The withdrawal of Graham Thorpe means that, barring another attack of myopia, either Robert Key or Ian Bell will make their Test debut at Trent Bridge next week. Bell is widely regarded as England's best young batsman, but Key is the man in form, and his selection would allow England to revert to their usual balance, with Mark Butcher at No. 3 and Nasser Hussain at No. 4. Even though Hussain made an outstanding century in the first Test batting at three, four is where he will be batting in Australia this winter, and that is where he should bat now.

England could open with Bell, but putting a new boy in an unfamiliar position rarely works: remember Ian Ward at No. 7? Key has been in eye-catching form, and is slight favourite to get a call-up.

There is an outside chance that someone like Mark Ramprakash might be recalled, but this would be a missed opportunity. It is hard to envisage a more friendly prospect for a batting debutant than India at Trent Bridge, traditionally the smartest shirtfront in England. It will certainly be preferable to fancying Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie at the 'Gabba in November.

Apart from that, England have no real decisions to make, such was the comprehensive nature of their win at Lord's. The fit-again Alex Tudor will return to the squad, presumably at the expense of Dominic Cork, and will compete with Craig White for the last place in the final XI.

As a big part of England's future, Tudor should ideally play. He also took a five-for at Trent Bridge against Austalia last year, but the decision is not as straightforward as it might seem. White made a really important, if understated, contribution at Lord's, batting with vim and vigour and bowling with a verve not seen since his halcyon, 90mph days in 2000-01.

After Tudor won the third Test against Sri Lanka with a heroic display, when he showed the ability to get blood out of a stone that will probably be needed here, it seemed he was here to stay. But his march to the top might just have to be put on hold once more.

Probable squad
Nasser Hussain (capt), Robert Key or Ian Bell, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Alec Stewart (wk), Andy Flintoff, Craig White, Alex Tudor, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard.

Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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