There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[Robert]

But why does woakes have to be considered a number 6 surely, 290+ wickets at 25 in under 90 games says the lad can bowl well enough to be first change? Agreed you cant play bres woakes and stokes unless bairstow bats at 5 with gloves? If you take woakes batting out of the equation surely them stats are the criteria required for a england bowling call up? I doubt there will be many records better to

That record is based on taking the new ball though - I suspect he'll basically need its extra nip to have any chance of success at test level.

[englandmad666]

But why does woakes have to be considered a number 6 surely, 290+ wickets at 25 in under 90 games says the lad can bowl well enough to be first change? Agreed you cant play bres woakes and stokes unless bairstow bats at 5 with gloves? If you take woakes batting out of the equation surely them stats are the criteria required for a england bowling call up? I doubt there will be many records better to

That record is based on taking the new ball though - I suspect he'll basically need its extra nip to have any chance of success at test level.

Surely all his wickets cant of come with the new ball in his first spell?

England lions currently 314/7 woakes 87* following on from his wickets first time round. Im not championing him but like i said its hard to ignore.

[Robert]

But why does woakes have to be considered a number 6 surely, 290+ wickets at 25 in under 90 games says the lad can bowl well enough to be first change? Agreed you cant play bres woakes and stokes unless bairstow bats at 5 with gloves? If you take woakes batting out of the equation surely them stats are the criteria required for a england bowling call up? I doubt there will be many records better to

That record is based on taking the new ball though - I suspect he'll basically need its extra nip to have any chance of success at test level.

Surely all his wickets cant of come with the new ball in his first spell?

England lions currently 314/7 woakes 87* following on from his wickets first time round. Im not championing him but like i said its hard to ignore.

Of course not, but I believe a lot have - it can make a hell of a difference.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe you can argue that present incumbents are better, but Woakes seems to be the stand out county bowler with Onions. Even without his batting. His pace is similar to the present England bowlers now. Wouldn't be surprised if Jordan gets a go though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Oh and eventually, Finn.

[sussexpob]

Maybe you can argue that present incumbents are better, but Woakes seems to be the stand out county bowler with Onions. Even without his batting. His pace is similar to the present England bowlers now. Wouldn't be surprised if Jordan gets a go though.

Maybe he didnt crack enough jokes on test debut, so they dropped him. Kerrigan cracked quite a lot using his left hand, but the team didnt see the funny side.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe he was heard whistling.

[sussexpob]

Maybe he was heard whistling.

No that was Onions. Apparently he was whistling "Ride of the Valkyries" under his helmet while batting out both last wicket draws in South Africa, and it was decided that he had not taken it seriously enough.

[D/L]

Could woakes and stokes both play? If woakes batted at 8, could both equally take the 3rd seamer position if they played? Woakes has taken nearly 300 wickets at 25 for warks?

I wouldn't have thought so. Stokes is the player in possession, so will probably play, with Bresnan, also the player in possession, at #8.

County form leading up to the tests may have a bearing too.

Can see them dropping bresnan tbh, i understand the stokes and woakes theory but surely he is someone should look at getting in? Arguably could go on to be a better bowler then bres and probably a better batsmen already

Too many "arguablys" and "probablys" there for me, em666.

The place is Bresnan's to lose. If he performs badly in the CC, that may happen but, considering his experience advantage, anything like solid should see him in the team.

[Gingerfinch]

Woakes is a better batsman than Bresnan, but vice versa with the bowling. And if you're looking for a number eight, best to go with the better bowler, imo.

[D/L]

you would be foolish to go into a test match without a spinner..unless its a green seaming fast bowlers paradise!

So if your best available spinner isn't good enough for Test cricket you'd still play him - now that would be foolish!

At the moment the only one who fits into the category of a proven Test standard is Monty - who has other issues both in the field and with the bat.

Not to mention off the field. It's a less public example than KP but Monty clearly doesn't feature in England's plans for the future, and it can't be for reasons of his bowling.

It could be entirely for reasons of his bowling.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes is a better batsman than Bresnan, but vice versa with the bowling. And if you're looking for a number eight, best to go with the better bowler, imo.

Woakes has a better fc bowling record. Bresnan was dropped in Sydney, so it remains to be seen if he is still in England's plans. No point holding Woakes' superior batting against him.

[meninblue]

Woakes is a better batsman than Bresnan, but vice versa with the bowling. And if you're looking for a number eight, best to go with the better bowler, imo.

Woakes has a better fc bowling record. Bresnan was dropped in Sydney, so it remains to be seen if he is still in England's plans. No point holding Woakes' superior batting against him.

Did they drop Bresnan to accommodate second spinner or replaced him with a pacer. Just guessing whether it was change in bowling strategy or selectors wanting to replace with better bowler.

[englandmad666]

Woakes will surely get better with experience though.... Im not saying cast bresnan aside but i think a bowling attack of anderson, broad, spinner, woakes and stokes soundsgood... They can also drop woakes if it dont work players like jordan and harris will want that bowling spot. The addition of stokes at 6 has added real depth to our attack something we have been missing for years

[andy]

I would rather have Jordan over Woakes...Jordan is also a bowling all-rounder, so wont lose runs at 8.