Reasons to be cheerful (part 2)

It’s clear what the first team is Of the 16 names, four look very much like reserves – Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Liam Plunkett and, since England seem to be going back to five bowlers, the unfortunate Paul Collingwood. This leaves only one real decision, for the first Test at least: which Lancashire swing bowler to have as fourth seamer – James Anderson or Saj Mahmood. There should be plenty of chunter on the medical front in the early weeks of the tour, but hardly any on selection issues.

Several players are fresh This is the upside of all the injuries. Of the eight bowlers, two have had the past few weeks off, and three have had months off. Only one, Saj Mahmood, played in the one-day series against Pakistan. Only two others, Matthew Hoggard and Monty Panesar, played in the Tests. Of course, being fresh isn’t much use if you’re not fit…