Five key concerns for England to ponder ahead of the India series

Captaincy debate Andrew Strauss will play for Somerset against the tourists in an attempt to gain some form. Beyond the wider issue of shabby treatment of the county game, it seems all is not well with the England captain. Alastair Cook's evident leadership credentials could create an unwanted pressure point in the England hierarchy; a successor is patiently in waiting now. Strauss needs to make runs and restate his so far unquestioned authority Cook must go back to his basics Some have suggested the real test of Alastair Cook's reinvention as a one‑day batsman will be how he makes the readjustment back to Test match austerity, most notably in the key area outside his off-stump against the new ball. Cook and his mentor Graham Gooch will be working hard to prove it is a transition he can make seamlessly Can Bell focus? On the face of it Ian Bell's failure to reinvent himself as a No6 in one‑day cricket ought to have no bearing on his established slickness in Test matches. Moreover, the England coach has rightly pointed out that players have a duty to perform whatever role is asked. Bell is a painstakingly constructed Test match success story and a finely balanced talent. There will be much relief if he can pick up where he left off at Lord's The lower order The India Tests are followed by more ODIs against the world champions: England will surely have to rejig their team for that series. Specifically, the lower order – numbers six, seven and eight – lacks any kind of punch. It may be time for the head coach, Andy Flower, to take a punt on some of the fine attacking batting talent evident in county cricket The Broad issue Stuart Broad, dropped from the 50-over team, has been even more unconvincing in Test matches of late. There is a view he would be well served by a spell in county cricket refining his game. With Chris Tremlett due to return for the Tests, Jimmy Anderson already inked in and Steve Finn bowling with pace for Middlesex, a decision must be made on England's most potent attack – and Broad is no longer seen as indispensable