The race to be England’s second spinner for the upcoming Ashes series has heated up, with the selectors facing a major decision between two of the country's most promising talents.
The debate over who should join Shoaib Bashir in the squad is between Rehan Ahmed and Liam Dawson, with both players having a strong case to be included.
The decision is a crucial one, as the second spinner will play a key role in the team's bid to win the Ashes in Australia.
The selection of the second spinner is one of the "few areas that needed to be finalised," according to England head coach Brendon McCullum.
The selectors have a number of different options at their disposal, and the decision will come down to who they believe is the best fit for the team.
The two contenders for the second spinner spot
Ahmed has had a sensational season for his county, Leicestershire, where he has scored five hundreds and taken 23 wickets at an average of 19.
The 21-year-old is a "multidimensional" talent and has been in sensational form with both bat and ball.
Dawson, on the other hand, is a more experienced and economical option.
The 35-year-old was recalled to the Test side to replace the injured Bashir for the final Test against India.
While he had a mixed performance, he is seen as a better batter than Bashir and can bowl economically to help tie up an end.
The selectors will have to decide whether they want an aggressive, attacking option or a more reliable and experienced one.
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The wider debate and what the selectors are looking for
The debate over who should be the second spinner is not just about the two players; it is about the wider philosophy of the team.
The selectors will be looking for a player who can perform under pressure and who can provide a much-needed balance to the squad.
Ahmed's aggressive batting and all-round ability would give England new possibilities in how they assemble their side in Australia.
However, Liam Dawson's ability to bowl economically and his experience could also be a major asset.
The selectors will also have to take into account the fact that left-arm spin struggles in Australia.
The decision is a tough one, and the selectors will have a number of difficult choices to make in the coming days.
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