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[SOULMAN1012]

Just watching the T20 on tvNottingham vs Derbyshire and they were talking about who would play if KP isn't fit for the 3rd test. Dominic Cork came up with Samit as England may need a 2nd spinner and add strength to lower order!

I personally think that would be one of the most left wing selections ever, surly if KP isn't fit James Taylor has to be selected or possibly Ravi Bopara.

Views

[Alvaro]

Vic Marks in the Grauniad believes it will be one from:

Taylor
Compton
Ballance

I'd go with Taylor given how he's made much more of his second season in Div 1. Another grinder though.

[Buzz]

carberry for me.

Vic Marks thinks Gary Balance will get the nod.

it won't be Patel.

[cricketbadger]

Ballance or Taylor for me, Bopara shouldn't be anywhere near the squad
Think they; go with Taylor though, Gooch mentioned him and him only when asked about a replacement, so it seems the likely outcome. Ballance will appear in the ODI/ T20 setup before Tests I'd imagine

[Alvaro]

If Prior was in any semblance of nick I'd bring in Kerrigan for KP

[deanoknight]

I think it should be carberry too but I reckon taylor will be in.
which doesn't fill me with confidence, Taylor, bairstow and matt prior is in poor form.

[Vitas Cricket]

Bumble has been gnashing all day on Twitter about this, and i agree with him.

England already have a second spinner, he is the brightest young talent in world cricket right now and was man of the match in the last test.

We need a batsmen to replace KP if he is unavailable. Not a bits and bobs player. Eoin Morgan or James Taylor look the most likely.

[Alvaro]

How many games may KP miss?

[cricketbadger]

Completely forgot about Morgan, where has he been, not noticed much of him lately
And Bumble is correct, Root is an acceptable 2nd spinner option, even more so if the pitch suits spin. I wouldn't worry about us not having the absolutely perfect bowling attack for an Old Trafford pitch against a batting line-up as frail as Australia's, so no need for a specialist 2nd spinner in my opinion

[Alvaro]

A good way to ease a guy in though, get a feel for when he comes in after Swann retires. Let Root bat.

[cricketbadger]

Same could be said for Taylor, good time for him to come in with less pressure on the England side, more focus on the Aussies, Taylor to settle in for the future

[petehosk]

Hasn't been confirmed yet though (whether kp will miss any games)??

I am with Taylor thinking too! Already have root as a second spinner so don't need three!
I do rate Bopara but more in the shorter ODI/T20 formats and not test so much.
I feel Taylor would be a stronger candidate.

[Vitas Cricket]

Slamit has made a real case for selection with that first pill!

[LEACHY48]

I think Taylor/bopara would be equally as good, I think samit is a decent all rounder, but not quite england standard. his fielding isnt great, and his batting is again decent, so the only other string to his bow is bowling, and as has been stated previously, we dont need 3 spinners.

[PM7]

Carberry for me, the guy is long overdue another crack.