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

Chris Woakes pulled England out of the jaws of defeat against Sri Lanka, backing up his impressive play in the recent test series. Woakes is no doubt very talented, and maintains better First Class records in batting and bowling than Ben Stokes. So far he has been a 5th bowler and batted the majority of his test innings at 8. Given a more useful role in the side he might perform better with the bat and take more wickets.

The question is.... do England bench Woakes now he is starting to show his potential, or go back to a fit Ben once he is back?

Ben Stokes: Batting

First class- 34
Test - 33
ODI - 21 at 91SR
T20 - 14 at 150SR

Chris Woakes - Batting

First class- 37
Test - 29
ODI - 22 at 81SR
T20 - 30 at 144SR

Ben Stokes: Batting

First class- 212 wickets @ 30
Test - 58 wickets @ 38
ODI - 36 wickets @ 36.. Econ 6.15
T20 - 8 wickets @ 47 ... Econ 9.22

Chris Woakes - Bowling

First class- 392 wickets @ 25
Test - 16 wickets @ 41
ODI - 58 wickets @ 34.. Econ 5.78
T20 - 7 wickets @ 36 ... Econ 9.37

The only vote worth getting involved with today

Ballots are open... get your votes in.

Of course everyone knows I have gone for Woakes. I truly believe a talent as he cant be missed, and I still dont think Stokes has shown consistent potential to lock down that 6 role, or good enough with the ball to be in a 4 man attack. I think Woakes given time can do both

Why not both in the test team? Leave Finn out.

hopeforthebest wrote:Why not both in the test team? Leave Finn out.

Because you then waste more batters down the order. With Ali, Bairstow down at 7 while keeping, its 8 or 9 for whoever is down there. And 8 or 9 never make scores, which will reflect badly on their contribution to the team and therefore isnt going to be justified for long.

Stokes.

I'd have Stokes as a more attractive choice in Tests, Woakes in ODIs, but I don't really see them as in competition for places, Woakes being a bowler who bats, and Stokes the other way around. Both have a lot to offer. I voted for Stokes because I always think of Tests first.

We don't really know what Woakes is capable of in test cricket because never received the full support of the coach and selectors that others have received.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Woakes being a bowler who bats, and Stokes the other way around.

Woakes has a better first class average. Just a tad under 37..... which is one run under the much touted Borthwick, and better than another touted number 3 Westley.

Not sure we can see he is a bowler who bats when his batting performance is near or better than others being touted at 3!

I know that, and I know my comments about Tests and ODIs don't sit with their county stats in fc and list A. But that's just the way it has appeared at international level so far.

I'm not sure either have enjoyed much confidence from Cook so far, who gives neither much responsibility and rarely gives them wicket taking fields. They've both suffered similarly.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:I'm not sure either have enjoyed much confidence from Cook so far, who gives neither much responsibility and rarely gives them wicket taking fields. They've both suffered similarly.

As far as selection is concerned Stokes's name is one the first pencilled in, , not so for Woakes he lies on the list of maybe's. Even when he gets a game you hear the statement "this is a big chance for him to show what he's made of". I don't know if he's a test player but I do think he's done enough to be given the chance to find out with a period of regular selection. Finn is certainly getting more chances than his form deserves.

Just going to bump this up.... as I am wondering if some people might have changed their opinion

I haven't voted but for me at the moment if both fully fit it would probably be the two of them. I don't know how.

Nearly got this one right.