Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Woakes is more like for like. I expect he'll replace Anderson.

Footitt is probably competing with Finn for the 3rd seamer's spot.

Feels a bit odd that Finn and Footitt might be competing for the third seamer spot, putting Woakes fifth, but he leaps one of them to replace Anderson- if he doesn't make it.

There's an issue with the England attack in that (without Footitt) there's no pace in it. Unless Finn or Broad have wound the clock back, they are all low eighties. Woakes is probably the quickest bowler now.

Anderson's injury stems fro day 2 of the first warm up game so it would appear they kept Woakes out of the second warm up as he's regarded as a swing bowler closest to Anderson's style.

Mail 21 Dec
The theory is that England wanted Footitt to get more overs into his legs in case he is needed with the new ball as the series goes on.

I wondered about this as all our fast bowlers are opening bowlers except Stokes. I think Footitt might make his debut.

Depending on the severity of Anderson's injury, could Jack Brooks be added to the England squad? Opens the bowling in County Cricket, bowls with pace and being amongst the wickets since joining Yorkshire.

Finn's already been added to the squad. Assuming Stokes is a batter, and Anderson is injured, they have say Broad, Finn and Woakes for the first Test, and Footitt and Jordan in reserve. Surely they'd go to Plunkett next if they wanted to add to these numbers?

Seven pace options in this squad, including Stokes.

From Paul Newman in the Daily Mail:

"If Anderson is ruled out now England are likely to turn to Chris Woakes, the outstanding bowler in the first match against an Invitational XI in Potchefstroom, ahead of newcomer Mark Footitt and Chris Jordan."