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[six and out]

We have discussed the Stokes issue.. is it right/wrong/should he go/shouldn't he go etc... etc.... but this isn't a thread about that

Its a simple cricket question as the topic states.... what would you do IF Stokes isn't around for the 1st test....

Would you bring someone in? or go with what we have got?

I have...

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Mo
Foakes
Woakes
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

[Calzehbhoy]

Same team for me just a slightly different order.

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Bairstow
Malan
Foakes
Moeen
Woakes
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

[iand123]

Are you guys selecting Foakes as a batsman or as a keeper batsman?

[joeljonno]

Cook
Stoneman
Ballance
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Ball

[Calzehbhoy]

Keeper Batsman for me.

Bairstow at 4 puts too much pressure on doing both.

[six and out]

Are you guys selecting Foakes as a batsman or as a keeper batsman?

Keeper Batsman definately

[Neon Cricket]

I'd go with the following personally - Overton is the closest we have to replacing Stokes and would fill a roughly similar role in the side

Cook
Stoneman
Malan/Vince (either, both are going to get skittled anyway)
Root
Bairstow
Foakes
Woakes/Ali
Woakes/Ali
Overton
Broad
Anderson

As a Worcestershire fan I'd happily see Ali bat higher, but he's done so well at 7/8 that it seems stupid to change it. Would at least give us 4 seamers and Ali with support from Root if necessary. Give Foakes the gloves and let Bairstow concentrate on hitting bombs!

[Seniorplayer]

Because he does so well there Moeen is one player I wouldn't move.

[jamielsn15]

Cook
Stoneman
Vince - only because he's more of a 3 than Malan
Root
Bairstow
Ali
Foakes
Woakes
Overton
Broad
Anderson

Ali can fill the gap at 6, and you still have five bowlers. Bairstow jumping up two places is an ask, but it does make the top five look stronger. Malan sits out because i don't see him batting at three. If he's upset i give him Stokes' phone number...

I like the look of Overton, if you've picked him, then play him. He's got enough experience around him to carry him through.

Foakes i wouldn't have any hesitation putting in. Better keeper than bairstow and averaging mid-40s this season, give him a go...

Still not ideal. Players moving around that much, proves what a miss Stokes will be. If we're looking to keep players where they are as much as possible its difficult as we now rely on five bowlers. I think Bairstow and/or Moeen have to move up

[mattw]

Is Foakes actually all that with the bat? I haven't seen much of him, so I cannot really comment - the times that I have seen him on the TV, he just seems to hit the ball to cow.

Don't get me wrong, he looks like a good keeper - but is he up to it in the test arena? Why not play a specialist batsman/bowler ahead of him and let Bairstow keep the gloves.

[mdg20]

Is Foakes actually all that with the bat? I haven't seen much of him, so I cannot really comment - the times that I have seen him on the TV, he just seems to hit the ball to cow.

Don't get me wrong, he looks like a good keeper - but is he up to it in the test arena? Why not play a specialist batsman/bowler ahead of him and let Bairstow keep the gloves.

He's more than up for the test arena with gloves, absolute cut above Bairstow. Batting he's going to be a very good 7/8.
We need Bairstows runs, and higher up the order so let him focus on that. Foakes should also be able to take chances Bairstow probably wouldn't. Taking those hard/half chances could make all the difference

[rich041187]

Cook
Stoneman
Vince
Root
Ballance
Bairstow
Samit P
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

[roco]

straight swap plunkett for stokes

weakens batting but need 5 proper bowler in Aus.

plenty of batting for me with woakes at 8

[Vitas Cricket]

what would you do IF Stokes isn't around for the 1st test....

Not even bother to watch

[alexhilly1492]

Cook
Stoneman
Vince
Root
Malan
Foakes
Bairstow
Ali
Overton
Broad
Anderson

Just going on what we know at the minute squad wise, personally I'd call up plunkett he's bowling well in one days and I think has the pace to worry the aussies on quick tracks so he'd come in for Overton

I'm reluctant to move bairstow and Ali so foakes fits in at 6 however I don't object to bairstow playing as a batter only as he's also good enough to replace stokes' fielding ability

EDIT: this is more relevant than i think people think as he is only 1 demerit point from a ban! if he does tour is he likely to manage ot get through an away ashes tour without getting de-merit points! were likely to miss him for at least one game!