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[Buzz]

I think that woakes is a talented player - but not a test no 6 - he is a bowling alrounder for me. We are looking for a batting allrounder and the massive advantage of Clarke is his bucket hands at slip - think of the difference two the first test if trott hadn't dropped Pujara on 8...

Strauss has taken more catches than any other outfielder. As Collingwood has shown that makes a huge difference.

[Nickauger]

I like Patel, strikes me as one of those bats who gets stinking decisions. He also seems to be out strangled a lot.

There's probably a reason for that, and its probably because his technique isn't good enough!

[PedalsMcgrew]

It's a fair point Buzz, we are lacking at slip.....and I agree about Woakes. I like him a lot but his batting isn't even close to being good enough to play test cricket as a batting allrounder. He could be a good option to replace Broad as a like for like though.....

So who are the main candidates if we decided to look for a batting allrounder then?

Clarke
Stokes
Is Ervine eligible yet?? 
Oooh!! Coles at Kent (Or Sussex, I forget which!) He's a talented lad

Any others?

[Nickauger]

In 5 years time.... Lewis Gregory!

[The_Bird]

The Overton twins look handy

[Nickauger]

Haha, I'm sure every-one could look at a few youngsters at their counties who could do a job in a few years time.

[PedalsMcgrew]

Haha, I'm sure every-one could look at a few youngsters at their counties who could do a job in a few years time.

So who are the ones who could do it in the next 12 months?

[cricketbadger]

Clarke isnt going to get picked lets be honest
are we seriously suggesting he should be picked based on his Slip fielding?
he had his chance nearly 10 years ago, merely a decent championship allrounder now

got to look to the future, in Woakes, who's batting performances and stats are impressive bearing in mind hes probably classed as a bowling allrounder
or Stokes perhaps in a few more years when hes injury free and more experienced
Im sure everyone else has plenty of thoughts and players in mind

[alba caerulea]

We have just watched England win a Test match by 10 wickets. In this game Englands 2nd seamer has contributed absolutely nothing and their leading seamer took 1 wicket. The question I have to ask is why do we want a 3rd seamer?

In any case Clarke is not a Test number 6 although his bowling has drastically improved in the last couple of seasons

Stokes is unproven but has huge potential and is a batsman who can bowl. He is not a good enough bowler to be bowling in a Test match yet

Coles looks a very good player too and is a bowler who can bat similar to Woakes. One of these 2 guys must be in the frame for NZ if Broad doesn't buck up in the next 2 Tests

[Tom]

James Allenby.

[The_Bird]

James Allenby.

He's an aussie, we get enough stick for fielding saffas!!

[procricket]

We have just watched England win a Test match by 10 wickets. In this game Englands 2nd seamer has contributed absolutely nothing and their leading seamer took 1 wicket. The question I have to ask is why do we want a 3rd seamer?

In any case Clarke is not a Test number 6 although his bowling has drastically improved in the last couple of seasons

Stokes is unproven but has huge potential and is a batsman who can bowl. He is not a good enough bowler to be bowling in a Test match yet

Coles looks a very good player too and is a bowler who can bat similar to Woakes. One of these 2 guys must be in the frame for NZ if Broad doesn't buck up in the next 2 Tests

Hate to say this but do you really think Broad will get dropped

[PedalsMcgrew]

We have just watched England win a Test match by 10 wickets. In this game Englands 2nd seamer has contributed absolutely nothing and their leading seamer took 1 wicket. The question I have to ask is why do we want a 3rd seamer?

In any case Clarke is not a Test number 6 although his bowling has drastically improved in the last couple of seasons

Stokes is unproven but has huge potential and is a batsman who can bowl. He is not a good enough bowler to be bowling in a Test match yet

Coles looks a very good player too and is a bowler who can bat similar to Woakes. One of these 2 guys must be in the frame for NZ if Broad doesn't buck up in the next 2 Tests

Personally I would drop Broad for Woakes now! Broad's bowling is now so poor that bringing in Woakes could only be seen as a positive move!. I wouldn't drop Patel though....I think he's got a lot to offer in these conditions....maybe not long term but at the moment we need a spinning allrounder and I can't think of anyone else to do that...!

[The_Bird]

I always get the impression with broad that he thinks he's arrived as a cricketer and now that he's been made vice he presumes he's undroppable. Prior should've been vice as form will always come and go with bowlers.

[petehosk]

I would drop Broad for Meaker as he is there in the squad already and has better pace!
And I would think about playing Root at number 6 instead of Patel! Root is a better batsman and can still bowl half decent spin. Plus if you are going to introduce a young player to Test match conditions, number 6 seems a good place to start?