England face searching Ashes questions after India series thriller

LONDON: England suffered an agonizing six-run loss to India at the Oval on Monday as one of the most dramatic Test series of recent times ended in a 2-2 draw.
Their next major red-ball assignment is a five-match Ashes series away to arch-rivals Australia — where England have gone 15 Tests without a win — starting in November.
Here are some of the key issues that emerged from England’s rollercoaster contest with India and what they mean for their quest to regain the Ashes “Down Under.”
What England gain from having Ben Stokes in their side was never more evident than when their inspirational captain missed the fifth Test with a shoulder injury — a fresh worry following his history of hamstring trouble.
The 34-year-old all-rounder was the most threatening member of England’s attack against India, taking 17 wickets at 25 in 140 overs — the most he has bowled in a series.
Stokes also looked back to his best with the bat, scoring 141 in England’s mammoth total of 669 in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford.

By contrast specialist opener Zak Crawley failed to reach three figures in nine innings.
And at the Oval, the sight of vice-captain Ollie Pope running off to the dressing room to receive what appeared to be tactical guidance from Stokes did not say much for England’s depth of leadership.
England limited-overs captain Harry Brook, also a mainstay of the Test team and a lively skipper in the Stokes mold, could yet prove a better fit as vice-captain against Australia.
England have long believed a battery of genuinely fast bowlers is essential if they are to win an Ashes series in Australia for the first time since 2010/11.
But fitness issues could blight their best-laid plans.
Jofra Archer made an encouraging return to Test