Every team selection pleases someone, but the English panel should be concerned that the squad they have chosen for Trent Bridge contains good news for virtually everyone, including the Australians.

The selection of the Hollioake brothers, Adam the elder and Ben -- the youngest England player since Brian Close is a positive and bold move. It shows that the England selectors are preparing for the future, whilst still concentrating on trying to win this Ashes series. Apart from their obvious talent, the Hollioakes will add some much needed flair and increase the combative approach in England's cricket. They will also add a spark to the team's fielding which is badly in need of some energy and expertise to save a few runs in the infield.

That is the good news for England. The bad news is the selectors have promoted a failed number three against Australia, to open against those same new ball bowlers. Alec Stewart's inability to subdue Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie stems from tardy footwork and I don't see how giving him less time to rest in between two difficult tasks is going to overcome that problem.The elevation of Stewart to open leaves the number three spot vacant.

Apparently this job will be inherited by John Crawley. If this suggestion brings some muffled laughter in the background, it will be those same fast bowlers, McGrath and Gillespie, chuckling. Crawley has made 1, 1, 2 and 4 in the first innings of the Tests so far, batting at number six. Those are the important numbers to consider when assessing Crawley's series and they suggest demotion rather than promotion.

Like Stewart, Crawley doesn't cover offstump properly when playing back in defence. Any Test bowler worth his place believes if he can see the stumps, he can hit them. But if he can't, then he feels they are damned difficult to rearrange.

Some local critics say Nasser Hussain has the worst technique in the England side. They cite his being square on in back defence as proof, which is exactly the reason why I believe Hussain has the best technique in the England side. He would be my choice at number three. He has displayed determination and the ability to hit the loose ball no matter what stage the game is at and twice he has gone on to make big scores. Those are the attributes of an ideal number three, so expect more Australian chuckling if Crawley comes in ahead of Hussain.

Lord MacLaurin has done a much better job rearranging the English cricket structure, than the selectors have in shuffling the Test batting order.However, the revamped England side retains a familiar look that will please the Australian batsmen. When the top six get their hooks into a bowler they don't let go easily. Therefore the retention of Andrew Caddick, Devon Malcolm and Phil Tufnell, all bowlers who have been subjected to a series of poundings by the Australians suggests the English bowling cupboard is bare.

To add further to the selectors' dilemma, Darren Gough is doubtful because of injury and Robert Croft's effectiveness has diminished during the series. The Australians have worn the little Welshman down with a steady diet of short-pitched balls at the rib cage when he's batting and this has contributed to an erosion of confidence when he's bowling. Croft needs a spin assistant, but Tufnell is not the right choice as he has become very defensive in his approach to bowling.

The consensus is this Test will probably be a draw because of the flat pitch. However, that theory doesn't take into account Australia's recent record of only one draw in their last twenty one Tests. Their style under Mark Taylor has been to aggressively seek victory from ball one, which can occasionally lead to losses, but more often than not provides a reward for talent and confidence.

Given anything like the thirty hours set down for a Test match, Australia will win at Trent Bridge and retain the Ashes. When it has all boiled down, it doesn't matter much who the England selectors choose as there is not the bowling talent available to dismiss Australia twice for meagre totals.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.