England face Ashes questions after dramatic India series

ENGLAND suffered an agonising six-run loss to India at the Oval on Monday as one of the most dramatic Test series in recent memory ended in a 2-2 draw.

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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.

Below, AFP Sport looks at 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 concern given 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 an average of 25 across 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.