What a fascinating selection dilemma we now have.Foakes had a wonderful debut and he should retain his pace. Moeen should not bat at 3 and we don’t need a third spinner, particularly at Pallekele which is probably the most seamer friendly pitch in Sri Lanka. So do we drop Rashid and hand a debut to Stone whose extra pace gives our attack another option? Or do we recall either Woakes or Broad? Who goes to 3?A nice problem to have if they’re all fit.
I suppose the question is does ‘the most’ seamer friendly pitch in Sri Lanka mean enough to warrant another seamer? Especially given how well Stokes played today. I doubt we need more than 3 seamers, given the variety 3 spinners gives us.
I’d play Stone ahead of Woakes. Woakes record with the Kookaburra ball is poor and Stone is easily the quickest bowler in the party. That extra yard of pace that Stone has gives our attack a level of variety that we don’t have with Woakes who is similar to the rest of our seam attack. Anderson/Stokes/Broad/Woakes are all too samey.
Quote from: Villan For Life on November 09, 2018, 03:11:09 PMI’d play Stone ahead of Woakes. Woakes record with the Kookaburra ball is poor and Stone is easily the quickest bowler in the party. That extra yard of pace that Stone has gives our attack a level of variety that we don’t have with Woakes who is similar to the rest of our seam attack. Anderson/Stokes/Broad/Woakes are all too samey.I think Woakes is competing for a spot with Curran now and I can't see him dislodging him at the moment. If we are going to play an extra seamer in the next test then I imagine it will be either Broad (likely) or Stone (would like to see him given a go to be honest). The big question will then be which one of the three spinners is left out of the side.