Smith can't rely on those who have already failed

Chris Stocks looks at the likely lads who can make their mark this summer as Test selection looms next week

When England name their squad to face Pakistan in the first Test of the summer at Lord’s next Tuesday, it will give a big indication of the direction new national selector Ed Smith is aiming to take the team.

Change is surely coming following a winless winter that saw Joe Root’s men lose five of the seven Tests they played in Australia and New Zealand.

Nobody should be calling for a radical overhaul at this stage. But some changes are needed immediately and Smith, who has succeeded James Whitaker, should not be afraid to make them.

His new set-up is not yet complete, with The Cricket Paper understanding that the appointment of an independent selector to work alongside Smith and coach Trevor Bayliss will not be made until mid-summer. Former England coach Andy Flower is believed to be the frontrunner at this stage.

However, Smith, who will take a more analytical, data-driven approach to selection, cannot start his tenure by picking the same group of players who failed so miserably in the winter.

Many were unhappy with the former England and Middlesex batsman’s appointment, with the emphasis on the dreaded ‘data’ no doubt bringing back memories of Peter Moores’ shambolic reign as coach.

Smith, though, impressed England director of cricket Andrew Strauss enough to land the job and deserves a chance to show what he can do.

But any honeymoon period promises to be short-lived and it is important he gets off to a good start. England winning Test matches will help ensure that, but the personnel need to be right first.

Based on the winter and the start of this summer, it is looking increasingly difficult to pick either Mark Stoneman or James Vince.