Rated: England's 14 players out to regain the Ashes from Australia - in pictures

Batting issues and who to leave out of the bowlers - captain Joe Root and the selectors have a lot to think about

Joe Root. First home Ashes series as captain. Will hope to recapture the form that saw him hit two hundreds in the 2015 series. Big test of his captaincy. Plenty of bowling options but a questionable batting line-up will be challenging to manage. He will need to be on his game, with bat and as captain, if England are to regain the Ashes. PA Photo

Jason Roy. The latest opener option after his heroics at the Cricket World Cup. His technique will be tested severely by Australia's line-up of talented quicks. If he can survive early overs will score quickly. Reuters

Rory Burns. Struggled against Ireland and the Surrey opener's position is already in jeopardy. Averages just 22 and Australia will look to capitalise on his weakness to balls around the off stump. Reuters

Joe Denly. Yet to impress for England but could well feature as either an opener or a No 3. Unfair to judge too early after just three Tests and he was unlucky to be run out by a bad call from Root when batting against Ireland. Reuters

Jonny Bairstow. Went from the highs of the World Cup success to getting a pair against Ireland. Set to mix wicket-keeping with batting again and it is important he scores big runs in the middle order. Showed he is capable of handling Australia's pace in Perth in 2017 with 119 and needs more knocks like that. Getty

Jos Buttler. Rested against Ireland, Buttler will be back for the Ashes. Unlike the World Cup he will only have to worry about his batting, with no wicket-keeping. 2018 was his breakout year in Test cricket as he was superb at times against Pakistan and India. Struggled in 2015 when he faced Australia, but he is a much better, and more experienced, player now. Getty

Ben Stokes. Stepped up under huge pressure to inspire England's success in the World Cup final. The challenge is now to do it again in the Test format. England need a lot of runs and wickets from their all-rounder. The fact he has been restored to the vice captaincy demonstrates the stock he is held in within the English hierarchy and his off-field issues are now well in the past. Getty

Moeen Ali. Fortunate to get the nod over Jack Leach as England's spin option. Had a disappointing World Cup and struggled with the bat against Ireland. Has not hit a Test hundred in England in three years and they desperately need him to raise his game with the bat. Took 12 wickets on home soil in the 2015 series and will trouble Australia on fourth and fifth day wickets - the only question will be if any of the Tests last long enough for him to be a real factor. Reuters

Chris Woakes. A man in form, it will be a shock if the Warwickshire man does not play on his home ground at Edgbaston. He, like the rest of England's attack, toiled in Australia in 2017-18. But he should be much more of a threat to the visitors batting line-up. AFP

Sam Curran. One of the success stories of English cricket over the past 12 months. Can swing the bowl well and also hits valuable runs in the lower order. His second innings 37 against Ireland, and three wickets with the ball, was a reminder of just what the 21 year old can offer. Reuters

Stuart Broad. This is set to be the seventh Ashes series for the fast bowler. Has won a number of past Ashes Tests with a sensational spell, with his 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 effectively sealing the series win. No longer a guaranteed starter and how Root and the selectors use him will be fascinating. Getty

Jofra Archer. The 24 year old has already booked his permanent place in English cricketing folklore with the Super Over against New Zealand that gave them their first World Cup. Helping England regain the Ashes will be the icing on the cake. His pace will trouble Australia, as it did in the World Cup, and he can be Root's X-factor. Reuters

James Anderson. An injury worry due to a calf strain and England will be hoping their most successful ever bowler, with 575 wickets to his name, is fit. His ability to consistently find the right line and length will ensure he remains a menace to the Australia batsmen. Getty

Olly Stone. Made a solid debut against Ireland with three wickets. The pace bowler won't start at Edgbaston but he could well play some Ashes cricket with the five Tests so closely pushed together due to the tight scheduling. Reuters

Home is where the heart has been for England in recent Ashes series.

They have won the past four home Test contests with Australia, stretching back to 2005, and captain Joe Root is looking to make it five in a row when the 2019 series begins on Thursday with the first Test at Edgbaston.

A 14-man squad has been named for the action in Birmingham, with decisions to be made over the bowling attack and also the problem area of the top three.

Jason Roy made his debut at the top of order against Ireland, while Rory Burns struggled alongside him.

Joe Denly, with mitigating circumstances, had a Test to forget against Ireland, while the argument for Root to move up from No 4 to bat at No 3 to balance the side was also highlighted in the Irish encounter.

Cricket World Cup hero Jofra Archer, 24, has been included in a Test squad for the first time, jostling for a place in the side to face Australia.

Check out the 17 players in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.