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[edge]

But if 2 of those 6 bowlers bat in your top 7 anyway, then why not. Need to take 20 wickets to win the game, so give yourself as many means as possible to do it! If stokes or Ali were injured I don't think I'd look to replace with an alternative all-rounder necessarily.

Ali isn't a top 7 regular for England, if Stokes has played then he's mostly been at 8 recently in home conditions.

@Bats_Entertainment in possession of the no7 slot.

[edge]

Uhoh, apparently Broad only managed to get through one over today before going off with heel pain. With Woakes out and Jimmy only just returning from injury, could England be at risk of going into the first test without all 3 of the first-choice seamers?

[Woodyspin]

Is it just me that would have loved to see Ollie Rayner given atleast 1 cap?

[FattusCattus]

Are we assuming Wood is fit for 5 days?  Could be a massive risk and he is bound to get overbowled!!

[play-yourself-in]

With all the chat of players like Samit, Sam Robison, Ballance, doing well and maybe being looked at for a return I was wondering who the last player was that played a few games (for England) was dropped and then came back to be a success.  My mind is blank.  Answers on a postcard.

[joeljonno]

With all the chat of players like Samit, Sam Robison, Ballance, doing well and maybe being looked at for a return I was wondering who the last player was that played a few games (for England) was dropped and then came back to be a success.  My mind is blank.  Answers on a postcard.

Joe Root

[Bats_Entertainment]

Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes...

[rickjames]

Foakes tonned up this morning. Not that he's going to get anywhere near YJB right now, but it's comforting to know he's on the doorstep...

[justnotcricket86]

Foakes tonned up this morning. Not that he's going to get anywhere near the YJB right now, but it's comforting to know he's on the doorstep...

Farbrace spoke very highly of him when he was in the commentary box/pod during last night's T20

[Bats_Entertainment]

Foakes tonned up this morning. Not that he's going to get anywhere near the YJB right now, but it's comforting to know he's on the doorstep...

I think it is possible that Bairstow will play as a specialist batsman. If not now, then quite soon.

[rickjames]

The impression has always been that not keeping affects Bairstow's batting and he takes it quite personally, which I guess kind of shows he cares and he works hard at it. He's definitely improved but I'd still have Foakes down as the better with regards to glovework.

Foakes seems like a fairly modest bloke anyway, just gets on with things and see how it goes.

[ppccopener]

Foakes is quality but it might be worth remembering bairstow plays as an allrounder same as Stewart
And therefore is gold dust as we can play an extra bowler..or batsman as needed.

[Manormanic]

Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes...

Jimmy Anderson? Seems to have done alright in his second run in the side!

[Bats_Entertainment]

Foakes is quality but it might be worth remembering bairstow plays as an allrounder same as Stewart
And therefore is gold dust as we can play an extra bowler..or batsman as needed.

Foakes is also a wicketkeeper batsman.

[Manormanic]

Foakes is also a wicketkeeper batsman.

So do we need two?   

Actually, I'd say there is a difference - Bairstow is a specialist batsman who has tended to keep wicket as well.  Foakes is a specialist wicketkeeper who happens to be a pretty handy batsman to boot.