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[iand123]

...His not likely to play anyway, is he? Probably a good drinks carrier.

I think theyve got a few of them already, why they need another is beyond me!

[alexhilly1492]

So do we reckon woakes will bat at 6 in the ashes. You know with him being a genuine all-rounder.

yes

[golders]

The fact only eight players have been awarded central contracts for tests, says it all about how unsettled those three other slots are...

[ppccopener]

So do we reckon woakes will bat at 6 in the ashes. You know with him being a genuine all-rounder.

Yes !
And if we had picked Samit Patel it gives an option to have a decent player below him who does both bat and bowl
Even us Middlesex supporters cannot say Finn deserves a spot

[Manormanic]

I agree Samit looked the most obvious like for like replacement (assuming that we wouldn't go back to Tim Bresnan or Rikki Clarke as one series stop gaps).  I'm assuming they'll have YJB at six, Ali seven, Woakes 8 and Overton 9, which would be a reasonable lower order, were it not for the flaky as all hell top order above it.

I like the point about fans agreeing with selectors.  But here is the think - my other sport is Rugby Union, and I rarely have major disagreements with the side that Eddie Jones picks.  I might have "favourites" who I think should be considered, but the fact is Eddie's choices have gravitas.  Whittaker and his joke mates, not so much...

[alexhilly1492]

I agree Samit looked the most obvious like for like replacement (assuming that we wouldn't go back to Tim Bresnan or Rikki Clarke as one series stop gaps).  I'm assuming they'll have YJB at six, Ali seven, Woakes 8 and Overton 9, which would be a reasonable lower order, were it not for the flaky as all hell top order above it.

I like the point about fans agreeing with selectors.  But here is the think - my other sport is Rugby Union, and I rarely have major disagreements with the side that Eddie Jones picks.  I might have "favourites" who I think should be considered, but the fact is Eddie's choices have gravitas.  Whittaker and his joke mates, not so much...

batting wise yes samit would be a decent replacement however i think he'd get into trouble hooking and wafting the short ball on a quick bouncy track he'd be caught fine leg a lot.
bowling do we need another off spinner?

i think we can rule out a like for like (yes i know theyve plumped for finn) but there isnt another player who can do what stokes can, bat at 6 on merit and be one of your main seamers on merit plus be a gun fielder, there isnt many people who have that ability at all in world cricket right now, for me Shakib is about the only other genuine all round (happy to be proven wrong) and hes on a break from test cricket (again happy to be proven wrong), one day S Curran could fill those shoes as he bowls and bats but hes no where near the required level at either yet!

for me plunkett would have been the choice but as theyve gone for finn lets back him after all he didnt have THAT bad of a series in 2010 the only reason he was dropped was runs he was still taking wickets, you dont become the fastest englishman to X (50 or 100 cant remember the stat) number of wickets without being talented besides remember edgbaston in the last ashes here! he bowled magnificently!

[tate035]

batting wise yes samit would be a decent replacement however i think he'd get into trouble hooking and wafting the short ball on a quick bouncy track he'd be caught fine leg a lot.
bowling do we need another off spinner?

i think we can rule out a like for like (yes i know theyve plumped for finn) but there isnt another player who can do what stokes can, bat at 6 on merit and be one of your main seamers on merit plus be a gun fielder, there isnt many people who have that ability at all in world cricket right now, for me Shakib is about the only other genuine all round (happy to be proven wrong) and hes on a break from test cricket (again happy to be proven wrong), one day S Curran could fill those shoes as he bowls and bats but hes no where near the required level at either yet!

for me plunkett would have been the choice but as theyve gone for finn lets back him after all he didnt have THAT bad of a series in 2010 the only reason he was dropped was runs he was still taking wickets, you dont become the fastest englishman to X (50 or 100 cant remember the stat) number of wickets without being talented besides remember edgbaston in the last ashes here! he bowled magnificently!

Would say you have nailed it on the head about Samit and Plunkett...

[Tailendfielder]

Are you even a real fan if you agree with the national selectors in any sport? 

My bad.

[Manormanic]

Would say you have nailed it on the head about Samit and Plunkett...

Look, I'm usually the first to spot the slight on the Yorkshire lad but really, Plunkett has no red ball form to speak off for two years or more and is not quite quick enough to be the hurry up merchant people are expecting.  Not saying Finn would have been my pick, but I can sort of see why Liam wasn't.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Samit bowls left-arm.

[Manormanic]

Samit bowls left-arm.

Bowls left hand, bats right, eats with both... 

[Bats_Entertainment]

Bowls left hand, bats right, eats with both... 

No off-spinner; never off dinner.

[Manormanic]

No off-spinner; never off dinner.

A man who believes a balanced diet is a Big Mac meal in each hand!

[rickjames]

Still trying to understand a world where you can fine YJB. I mean, its YJB

[Manormanic]

Still trying to understand a world where you can fine YJB. I mean, its YJB

Quite.  He's not another angry Ginger haired larrikin in his spare time at all!