Gooch calls for selection revamp

Former England captain Graham Gooch feels there needs to be "some checks and balances with the selection system" on tour after spinner Monty Panesar was left on the sidelines for the start of the Ashes series.

Gooch, 53, feels the introduction of a senior selector to the tour party - similar to the Australian model - may help to ensure a "potential match-winner" like Panesar is not left out.

"An England team firing with their best side are a match for Australia - and we saw that in 2005," he said. "Unfortunately, England have not been at their best in this series and have been second best in pretty much all departments. There are big questions over the selection and the make-up of the side, and certainly whether England management's structure on tour is the correct one."

Gooch added on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "One of best parts of English cricket over the past 12 months has been the emergence of Monty Panesar as a class bowler, and I do not think against Australia you can afford not to have your best bowlers in the side - even if it affected the balance of the team. He is a potential match-winner.

"The wicket-keeping position is another one. Geraint Jones has been picked for a reason because he is the stronger batter, but he has not been getting runs.

"The selection process was put in place in the summer where [Chris] Read and Panesar were playing, then as soon as they go on tour, that was changed around.

"I think there has got to be some checks and balances with the selection system."