James Vince and Joe Clarke are the leading candidates for Ashes batting spots as England look to reboot their top order following the batting shambles in the West Indies.

In a one-off move, England are also believed to be contemplating moving Joe Root back to No 3 for the final Test against West Indies as they attempt to prevent a 3-0 whitewash defeat.

Looking longer term, it is understood England are keen to see Clarke bat at three this summer for his new county, Nottinghamshire, and would like Vince to experiment as an opener for Hampshire.

Vince has not played Test cricket under Ed Smith as chairman of selectors, and opted to play in the Big Bash this winter rather than go on the Lions tour.

But England have accepted that decision and the lack of alternatives in county cricket will force them to go back and look at Vince, who averaged 24.20 from 13 Tests. He scored 70 in his last match in New Zealand and England believe he can crack Test cricket despite his repeated dismissals playing the kind of aggressive shots that have cost the side in the Caribbean.

But Vince has always batted in the middle order for England and moving up to open would force him to curb his attacking instincts.