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[Jimbo]

Bairstow did make a fairly big change to his technique to adapt it to play as a white ball opener. That change has had a negative effect on his red ball batting. Yes, he's shown he can score runs in Test cricket but can he readapt to long form batting and can he manage to do both at once?

[six and out]

The Telegraph have Wood replacing Anderson as the only change for the 3rd Test.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2020/01/13/england-make-surprise-decision-recall-mark-wood-ahead-jofra/

[SD]

I would say that there is a case for playing both Archer and Wood depending on how the pitch looks on the morning of the game. 

[rickjames]

Love me a bit of Woody at full tilt

[Buzz]

Archer isn't fit apparently.
The choice is Wood who hasn't played a match since the world cup final and Woakes.

The pitch is supposed to be a dead one so Wood's extra pace (if it is still there) will be a differentiator.
Massive gamble playing him in my view but absolutely right to protect Archer. 

[FattusCattus]

Gosh, this is going well - Leach appears to be returning home as well. sad for him, but a great opportunity for Bess to put himself forward.

[edge]

Gosh, this is going well - Leach appears to be returning home as well. sad for him, but a great opportunity for Bess to put himself forward.

The obvious call I think, they must have been thinking he could be in contention for this test to keep him around this long. Much better to have him recuperating and ready for SL than doing nothing in SA.

[SouthpawMark]

That will be Wood out of the 4th test then, and probably the English summer.

[ppccopener]

Collingwood talking up Wood in the press so if Archer is unfit he could now be first choice pick.

sorry for Leach, I think he is the better spinner but we will need 2/3 for SL so he needs to get fit.

[SD]

Pretty rotten luck this winter for Leach.  Hopefully he recovers soon for his sake and is fit in time for SL.  No Rashid, Ali or Leach would make that a very challenging tour

[Jimbo]

Bess, Parkinson, Denly, Root in SL. Jesus.

[ppccopener]

with Moeen Ali getting a personal visit from Giles pre SA tour, he may just find Giles again on the doorstep for a cuppa.

[Arambo]

I read an article from Atherton saying that Wood was considerably quicker than Archer in the latest net session. I hope they give Wood a game. Woakes for me has been disappointing without the Dukes ball

[FattusCattus]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28490307/jofra-archer-deserves-support-not-suspicion-elbow-injury-rules-third-test

Interesting article this (I like George Dobell), I don't know if I'm over-simplifying this, but I don't think he's been particularly well captained tbh. He's bowled way too many overs and in a 5 man attack (with 2 x part-time spinners as well) I cannot see why he isn't doing 3-4 ovrf flat out bursts.

Some question his efforts and commitment,  but I think he just needs his job clarified and sensible handling - a bowler as captain perhaps?

[FattusCattus]

If hall were fit and at he top of their game, how about a bowling attack of;

Archer
Wood
Curran
Mo
Stokes