Dawid Malan could be handed a surprise Test debut next week as Trevor Bayliss admits Friday's selection meeting is the toughest of his two years as head coach.

Malan, Durham’s Mark Stoneman and Middlesex bowler Toby Roland-Jones could be the uncapped players in the squad for next week’s first Investec Test against South Africa with England having question marks over at least three positions in their side.

Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane will also be discussed by the selectors after impressing for England in the Twenty20 series against South Africa following on from good reports from the Lions coaches in the winter.

Malan scored a 78 from 44 balls on his international debut last week against South Africa and even though it was only a Twenty20 match England were struck by his composure. At 29 he is a late starter but his form in championship cricket has been consistent for Middlesex for the past three years.

He was out for one on Thursday against Essex but is averaging 44 in the championship this summer and is a candidate to bat at five on his home ground, Lord’s, next week.