What will the team be for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May?

We take a look at who should be in the side when England return to the long format of the game

Stephen Brenkley

Monday 06 January 2014 19:10 GMT

Scorer of bundles of runs for Yorkshire, he looked composed in his first Test without going on to make a score. He has to be given a run of four or five Tests. His left-handedness may also be handy, though his footwork is not exactly dainty. (GETTY IMAGES)

With the Ashes over, England will not play another Test match until May.

Then, they will take on Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

It will be a Test in which England will be desperate to make amends for their shambolic show in Australia, in which they have relinquished the Ashes with a 5-0 series defeat.

But who will be in the side when Sri Lanka come to Manchester for the two Test series?

Here, The Independent's Stephen Brenkley selects his XI for that match.

Click through the gallery below to see his selections...

Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

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1/11Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Alastair Cook (capt)

This is the hardest time of his career and he will be a newly-minted father by then as well. The summer will not define his place in England’s history but he needs big runs soon and must score them against both Sri Lanka and India. Or else.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Joe Root

It has not all been plain sailing for the baby-faced Yorkshire opener. Shuffled up and down the order, his weakness on the front foot has been brutally exposed. But England have invested far too much to leave him out of the side for long.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Jimmy Anderson

On pitches with a hint of green and a ball with a high seam (there will be no dustbowls this time) Anderson could be irresistible. But it has been a salutary winter for him. Frankly, he has too often looked knackered lately.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Ian Bell

This lovely batsman is now drinking in the last-chance saloon. A luminous summer series at home was followed by too many casual dismissals in Australia. No 3, the position he has pined for, could be the making of the last stage of his career.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

James Vince

The Hampshire batsman finished last summer with a flourish, three hundreds and two fifties in his last seven innings. Still only 22, he has been around for five seasons. This would be a big step up but a Lions tour to Sri Lanka in March will tell much more.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Gary Ballance

Scorer of bundles of runs for Yorkshire, he looked composed in his first Test without going on to make a score. He has to be given a run of four or five Tests. His left-handedness may also be handy, though his footwork is not exactly dainty.

GETTY IMAGES

Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Ben Stokes

The one shining light from the Ashes; promoted to the team almost by accident, he was a revelation. Assuming his athlete’s body holds together and he learns a little more rigour, he could be the all-rounder who comes along every other generation.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Jos Buttler

Matt Prior should not be lightly discarded but Buttler is genuinely exciting. He has had to move from Somerset to Lancashire to be sure of a gig behind the stumps. But he has safe hands, spectacular reflexes and the potential to be a batting genius.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Stuart Broad

One of only two players to do himself justice on the Ashes tour, he is the most steadfast of competitors. He needs to find from somewhere more of those thrilling bowling bursts that dismantle sides. It is also crucial he does not neglect his batting.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Scott Borthwick

England’s spin cupboard is bare and Graeme Swann will be desperately missed. There is no point in continuing with Monty Panesar, given the other weaknesses in his game, and Borthwick’s canny combativeness.

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Stephen Brenkley's team for England's next Test v Sri Lanka in May

Steve Finn

The ridiculous decision to change the law because he knocked off the bails occasionally may yet have a terrible effect on his career. He should be the spearhead of the attack if he simply concentrates on running in and bowling fast.

PA

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