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[edge]

Probably the right decision I'm afraid, Woakes clearly wasn't fully fit in the last game! Shame really, I'm sure he was dead keen to play but obviously wasn't ready and now dropped. Hope this means he'll be playing some first class games rather than carrying drinks...

[Byo]

They will both be on the plane to Oz, and it's basically a straight choice between the 2. Depends on what the selectors want from their 3rd seamer. Personally I prefer Woakes but can see the merits for TRJ as well.

Nice position to be in having healthy competition for a place in the side.

[ppccopener]

Absolutly agree with the bat but isn't he a bowling allrounder.

Ummmm....he's an allrounder. I'm not sure i would describe him as a bowling allrounder.

I dont know to be honest...he does both very well and is a crack fielder

[Bats_Entertainment]

This is all a lot of fuss about nothing. Woakes is almost certainly the better cricketer (and quite obviously a bowling allrounder!);  but Roland-Jones has form and fitness and is a great discovery.

[Seniorplayer]

This is all a lot of fuss about nothing. Woakes is almost certainly the better cricketer (and quite obviously a bowling allrounder!);  but Roland-Jones has form and fitness and is a great discovery.

As with any player though  it needs to be reflected on the pitch

[Calzehbhoy]

Could we see -

Cook
Stoneman
Westley
Root
Woakes
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
TRJ
Broad
Anderson

[ppccopener]

Yes I think we could

You could swap bairstow and woakes round

[Bats_Entertainment]

I'd be very surprised if we ever saw England line-up like that.

[Calzehbhoy]

I'd be very surprised if we ever saw England line-up like that.

So would I... However if England are saying Stokes/Ali are both batsman that just happen to be "good" bowlers too & Woakes is the bowling alrounder surely that means with the squad I listed England are really only picking 4 bowler (Anderson,Broad, TRJ, Woakes (Bowling alrounder) and it's just a helpful luxury that Stokes/Ali bowl too?

[WalkingWicket37]

So would I... However if England are saying Stokes/Ali are both batsman that just happen to be "good" bowlers too & Woakes is the bowling alrounder surely that means with the squad I listed England are really only picking 4 bowler (Anderson,Broad, TRJ, Woakes (Bowling alrounder) and it's just a helpful luxury that Stokes/Ali bowl too?

But on that logic they're going in without a "frontline" spinner?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Good luck with telling Ben Stokes that!

And 'helpful luxury' bowlers should bat in the top five to warrant their places, in any case. This is not club cricket.

I'm sorry, but you're way off the mark.

[Bats_Entertainment]

But on that logic they're going in without a "frontline" spinner?

The way we're going, there'll soon be no such thing.

[WalkingWicket37]

The way we're going, there'll soon be no such thing.

Meanwhile Gary the goat 🐐 has taken 7 wickets in an innings for his 4th Michelle in Asia this calendar year...

[Alvaro]

Woakes was chosen to bat at 6 in his first Teat.

[ppccopener]

Interesting stat there Alvaro....not sure anyone else caught Agnew and Swann on the radio last test saying CW could open or bat top 4.....I can see where they are coming from myself maybe others can

But woakes or TRJ is not the problem...its finding top order batters who can get runs

Been impressed with Stoneman and Malan not sure about westley myself

Hameed got 85 today and he might not make the ashes but there is a lot invested in him I would suggest.