If form were everything...

By Oliver Brett

When England's cricket selectors name their squad for the first Test against Bangladesh at Lord's there will be few surprises.

But if current form were the only guiding principle, and central contracts had still not been invented, it could be a very peculiar-looking England side taking the field on 26 May.

It is well chronicled how poorly the England batsmen are performing, and if they were all dropped it would certainly give them a kick up the pants.

Here, BBC Sport announces an alternative England XI.

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Alistair Maiden: The opener hit 211 not out for Durham UCCE against Somerset at the start of the season, scoring his runs against international trio Andrew Caddick, Richard Johnson and Nixon McLean - he goes straight into the side.

Jason Gallian (captain): Nearly 10 years after his last Test appearance, the Nottinghamshire captain, with 464 first-class runs already this season at an average of 92.80, provides some handy experience.

Our new captain, Jason Gallian, shows off his flawless technique

Ian Bell: The battle for number three is won by the Warwickshire star, the first man to reach 500 runs in first-class cricket this season.

Darren Bicknell: Alec Stewart used to say "if you're good enough, age isn't important." Bicknell proves the point by making a Test debut a month short of his 38th birthday.

Mark Ramprakash: Another veteran returns to the international limelight at the age of 35 after hitting three centuries already this season for Surrey.

Will Smith: Not to be confused with the American actor/one-time rapper, Smith drops down from his normal opening berth at Durham UCCE due to his inexperience.

Tony Frost: Forget Messrs Jones, Read, Foster and Prior, the wicket-keeper in form with the bat is Warwickshire's bespectacled Frost.

Ashley Giles: What's this - a Test regular keeping his place? Giles has 24 wickets already this season, easily the most in-form spinner.

Alan Richardson: The move from Warwickshire to Middlesex has paid off massively for Richardson. No longer a county plodder - so watch out Bangladesh!

Mark Davies: The right-arm seamer from Stockton has been a revelation for Durham this season - he just edges out Andrew Caddick.

Steve Harmison: Another Durham ace - another one who just squeezes in, but Lord's is quite far from the north-east. Will he get homesick?