England's question of balance

By Martin Gough

England's squad selection to tour Bangladesh means they will have to take a risk that would be unacceptable against any major Test-playing nation.

Rikki Clarke has been identified by the selectors as an exciting talent David Graveney

And it means they must make a compromise before they begin the second stage of their pre-Christmas Test itinerary, to reinforce their supremacy in Sri Lanka.

Under coach Duncan Fletcher, England have enjoyed success in Sri Lanka before, coming back from defeat in the first Test of 2001 to snatch the series 2-1.

And they also claimed a moral victory on the spin-friendly surfaces of India, a weakened side coming close to tying the series in 2001/02.

But on both occasions the tourists relied heavily on all-rounders.

In Sri Lanka, wicket-keeper Alec Stewart batted at five, while Craig White was part of a three-pronged pace attack.

Later that year - with Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick unavailable - White and Andrew Flintoff played major roles in keeping the side balanced.

This time around there is no such luxury.

POSSIBLE ENGLAND XIs Openers: Michael Vaughan (capt) Marcus Trescothick Middle order: Mark Butcher Nasser Hussain Graham Thorpe All-rounders: Andrew Flintoff Rikki Clarke / Paul Collingwood Wicket-keeper: Chris Read Spinner: Ashley Giles / Gareth Batty Pace bowlers: Matthew Hoggard James Anderson / Stephen Harmison --- Reserve wicket-keeper: Geraint Jones

The likely first-choice line-up from the squad announced on Wednesday would see spinners Ashley Giles and the uncapped Gareth Batty relied upon to score runs down the order.

But if England are not to look thin in either the batting or spin-bowling department in Sri Lanka they need someone to step up.

Fortunately there are two Tests in Dhaka and Chittagong to allow inexperienced players to get some overs under their belts.

Do not be surprised if Rikki Clarke and Paul Collingwood play one match each as Duncan Fletcher's staff search for a suitable back-up to Andrew Flintoff.

Should two spinners be viewed as vital, England could even temporarily place Flintoff at five in the batting order.

Collingwood would have had the chance to play against Zimbabwe and South Africa this summer had he not suffered a dislocated shoulder that kept him out of action until late last month.

A medium-pace swing bowler, he has taken 16 one-day wickets but it is his all-round gritty demeanour that most impresses Fletcher.

Clarke proved himself a batsman of the future during this year's one-day series, but has yet to show he is anything other than an occasional seamer.

"Rikki Clarke has been identified by the selectors as an exciting talent," chairman of selectors David Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live.

Injury has delayed Collingwood's Test debut

"We felt we needed two batting all-rounders [plus Flintoff] as opposed to four seamers.

"That's no different from the last time we went to Sri Lanka."

On the unresponsive surfaces of Bangladesh, James Anderson and Steve Harmison could also be given a match each.

Both young bowlers could learn much from playing in those conditions with less pressure, learning how to take wickets without assistance.

But England will be keen to use both sparingly ahead of a tough winter.

The only ever-present in the side may turn out to be Matthew Hoggard, a success on tour in Pakistan two years ago although he did not play in the Tests.

Hoggard endured a disappointing Ashes tour and has missed much of this summer with a knee injury but in Bangladesh at least he is a senior bowler.