CHAIRMAN of selectors David Graveney has revealed how the sensational emergence of Kevin Pietersen on the England international scene has only added to his problems in this Ashes summer.

While many cricketing pundits could probably pick five of England's top six for the eagerly-awaited clash with Australia, there is one middle order slot which appears up for grabs.

Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan and Graham Thorpe will almost certainly dominate the top order and Andrew Flintoff, if fit, will bat at six.

Pietersen appears to be in contention with Ian Bell, Robert Key and Mark Butcher for the No 5 role against Shane Warne and co.

Following on from the Hampshire batsman's remarkable one-day form in South Africa in January and February, pundits were calling for Pietersen to make his Test debut against minnows Bangladesh in the first of two Tests against the Asians at Lord's on May 26.

But it looks a straight call between in-form pair Bell and Key as Butcher has not played at all since injuring his wrist in South Africa in January and Pietersen is currently struggling for runs.

He has only scored 17 in three totesport League innings in 2005 and 0 and 61 in his only championship appearance against Sussex.

But Graveney said: "You just cannot get away in the end from what Kevin did in South Africa - his last one-day century in Centurion was one of the best hundreds I have ever seen.

"Shane Warne will have told him that Test matches are totally different from one-dayers, but he's definitely in the mix.

"I do find it surprising that I have read that Robert Key and Mark Butcher seem to have been written off - it wasn't that long ago that Key was making a double ton in a Test match.

"I can tell you that when we have selection meetings they tend to go on much longer than they used to - that's not because we have vast disagreements, it's because of the outstanding amount of candidates knocking on the door."

Key (25.50) and Butcher (24.25) were England's lowest averaging batsmen in the 2-1 series win in South Africa during the winter - though Key played the last three matches and Duncan Fletcher is known for his loyalty towards those who have served England well.

Bell struck 70 in his only Test innings against West Indies last summer, missing out on selection for the South Africa tour but winning a belated call-up when Butcher was crocked

The Warwickshire man is in stunning form, having blasted 231 against Middlesex in his third championship match of 2005 - having scored 96 (v Glamorgan) and 63 (v Kent) in his first two four-day games.

Key, meanwhile, plundered 164 for Kent against Gloucestershire at Bristol only last week.

Pietersen, of course, has never played a Test but averages 139.50 from nine ODI innings.

KAT: An inside look at Hampshire and Australian cricket with Rose Bowl star Simon Katich appears in the Daily Echo every Wednesday.