There’s more. Of course there’s more, but it’s just a distraction – something to pass the time before the Ashes, before the Gabba in November. Not that the task of trying to pick an England XI for that first Test isn’t distraction enough.

Joe Root’s reign began with the news that the captain would bat at four. The question of who should replace him at three remains unsolved. Gary Ballance, on the back of some eye-catching early season form, batting at five for Yorkshire, was the first to stake a claim. That he didn’t wasn’t helped by having his hand broken by Morne Morkel, but, against an excellent South African attack, the same old doubts about Ballance’s ability to score consistently in Test cricket were still not far from the surface.

Tom Westley has since filled the role, and it is to be hoped that a 44 not out has given him – and the selectors – confidence. Westley certainly didn’t look to be lacking confidence on debut, looking as assured as any to have stepped into the slowly revolving doors, but it has been interesting to see Westley’s contrasting trajectory to that of his fellow debutant, Dawid Malan, who looks to have just about secured a starting spot. The scrutiny has been on Westley’s leg-favouring technique, but plenty of players have succeeded with plenty of techniques. Those who succeed have the good sense to hone technique rather than change it. Easier said than done, in the heat of the Ashes, but like Rakim said: Don’t Sweat the Technique.

Of all those in the XI for the recently concluded Test, it is Westley’s place that is most tenuous. I would say it’s under threat, but there aren’t too many threatening to do any better – certainly outside of those already in the team. Root could bat three. Ben Stokes could bat at three. Malan, too. It’s hard to criticise Root for wanting to bat at four – or, to a lesser degree, the selectors for allowing him the choice – but, for all that it might have helped him settle into the captaincy, vacating the number three position might have hindered the development of his team. Westley bats at three for Essex, yes, but he might have benefited from starting his international life lower down the order. As it is, heads are being scratched. Should he stay or should he go? And, should he go, who should his replacement be?

An important aspect to this selectorial dilemma is the balance of the team. Some are advocating shifting everybody up the order and playing Chris Woakes and Toby Roland-Jones. Or Mason Crane, if the need arises and if he’s deemed ready. It wouldn’t weaken the batting, but is there ever a need for six bowlers? I would say no, citing Liam Dawson, but a tip of the hat to my pal Ryan for questioning ever needing a fifth batsman who never scores any runs. Considering all the dropped catches in the recent series, perhaps England should just pick a fielder. Paul Collingwood is still knocking around. Or Chris Jordan.

If, as seems likely, another batsman is required, there are two options. Mark Stoneman, who, since replacing the walking-wicket of Keaton Jennings, looks to have the game and the temperament to cut the mustard, could move to three, with Haseeb Hameed returning to open. Having watched Hameed’s debut in Rajkot first hand, it seems almost inconceivable that he has not become an established international, but he needs a run-soaked, crease-occupying end to the season and even then would represent somewhat of a risk.

The other option is to move Root or Malan to three and bring in another middle-order player. Again, there are not many outstanding candidates. Not if Ballance’s name crops up again, although there is a school of thought that he may fare better at five. Maybe, however, those one-dayers against West Indies might yet prove more interesting than first thought. Alex Hales and Jos Buttler both have plenty of big game experience, but red-ball records no better than Westley or James Vince.

So England remain a team in flux – frustratingly inconsistent and still lugging about the same old questions, still haunted by the ghosts of Andrew Strauss (and his rational control of the DRS process), Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell. But for all that, the other eight are in fine fettle. Alastair Cook, free from the captaincy and having to speak in public, is back to his best; Root can’t be batting too badly if the only criticism is that he failed to convert enough of the fifties in a record-equalling twelve consecutive Tests into hundreds; Stokes is batting with a swagger that he is more than backing up, and was bowling round corners in the first innings of this last Test; Jonny Bairstow was immune to the dropping epidemic and seems to have found a home at seven; Moeen Ali is the best number eight since Zinzan Brook; Chris Woakes, if he can regain fitness and form, is a more than useful all-rounder; Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson are still Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson. Roland-Jones and Mark Wood are able deputies.

A lot to be upbeat about, really. Certainly more than Australia had at the end of their last summer, and arguably now, too, despite  the emergence of Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb. Like England, Australia really only have two banker batsmen, in David Warner and Steve Smith, but they have no equivalent to Stokes, and Matthew Wade is not in the same league as Bairstow. The bowling looks great on paper, but there must be some doubt that any three of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins will be fit enough to line up with Nathan Lyon.

For what it’s worth, I’d go for the following England team:

1. Alastair Cook
2. Mark Stoneman
3. Joe Root
4. Dawid Malan
5. Alex Hales
6. Ben Stokes
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Moeen Ali
9. Chris Woakes
10. Stuart Broad
11. James Anderson

With Haseeb Hameed, Jos Buttler/Ben Foakes, Toby Roland-Jones, Mark Wood and Mason Crane in reserve.

Bring it on.