Which England player should get dropped when Flintoff comes back...?

Question

After England's test series win against New Zealand each bowler has a reason why he should not be the one sacrificed for Flintoff

3 obvious options

Anderson- Took the most wickets in the series vs NZ

Sidebottom- Consistenly bowls well for England, most wickets in NZ and 2nd most wickets in the series in England

Broad- The NO.8 that England have been searching for since Giles left. Scores runs and is accurate.

Then there's the possibility of Bell or Collingwood (who only made 70 runs between them in the last series) making way for Flintoff.

So which England player would you drop for the series with South Africa?

Answer 1

Congrats on the 2-0 victory over Kiwis!!

I think Flintoff's comeback should not be rushed, he should first get some match practice while the team management can give the current bunch of players a chance to prove their steel for one odd series.

When he do comes, I think it'll be a batsman who's more likely to be dropped because, although Flintoff is fit but would still be used in short spells & the current bowling combination is gaining good exposure & fair amount of success.

Answer 2

If you want a four man attack then take out Broad and Freddie bats 8 - he's struggled for runs this season, but his strike rate and average are much better than Broad

If you want a 5 man attack then take out Bell or Collingwood - you would decide who on how they perform in the ODI's V NZ

Answer 3

Oracle raises a few fair points and the current team are performing well together, however I can't help but disagree.

We did what we had to do to win the series against New Zealand and in fairness we deserved it but I still have my concerns at the lack of team big scores in either the first or second innings. Therefore I don't think we can afford to replace Bell or Collingwood with Flintoff right now as the rest of our batsmen aren't reliable enough in current form to make up a big total.

Our bowling is also of concern for me as I dont think the South Africans will be troubled as much by our current attack, a lot will depend though on which South African team turns up. The world beaters or the nearly men. However if a fully fit Flintoff is available for selection, then who in their right mind would turn him down?! He is a genuine wicket taker and that is what we need.

Therefore I would have to drop Stuart Broad. It is a shame as he hasn't done anything wrong in the past series but he hasn't set the world alight either. Yes he is coming along nicely and his extra runs have been valuble but once Colly and Bell are back in form, will we really need them extra few runs? Plus if Flintoff is performing at his best, we may even be chasing down small totals (hopefully!)

After all you need to take 20 wickets to win a test match, and I simply don't see our current bowling attack doing that against the Saffers!  :)

Answer 4

Even though Eng played better than NZ both away and home

series, the performance is still not good enough to beat SA or

Aus. Both Bell and Collingwood have failed, but they will

perform well over time. So these two are not a concern. The

bowling is off suspect not having a fourth bowler. Broad is just

ordinary bowler and he is the one to go when Freddie comes

into the team. Anderson has taken wickets but he is mostly

valuable bowler only in seaming conditions. Most times he is

not your front line bowler.

So for now Broad needs to go, only if Flintoff is 100% match

fit.

Answer 5

It depends upon the composition of team which England would like to have. If they want 6 batsmen, 1 wicket keeper and 4 bowlers, Broad has to be sacrificed for Flintoff.However, if they want 5 batsmen,1 allrounder, 4 bowlersand 1 wicket keeper, then Collingwood will have to be sacrificed as Ian Bell has been a more consistent batsman for England.

Answer 6

Me as a SA supporter who would I be the least wary of from your options probably Broad because I don't see him as such an attacking bowler and with the bat I don't think he is a genuine all-rounder yet he may get a few runs but nothing like Flintoff who is so dangerous with both bat and ball but probably a more attacking team would keep Broad and drop Collingwood it would give England more options with the ball and since it is easier to come back from injury as a batsmen than bowler if Flintoff isn't immediately up there with his bowling Vaughan will have backup and Flintoff would still be able to bat so you wouldn't really be losing out and it wouldn't put a lot of pressure on Flintoff because if he replaced Broad after he performed so well he would feel that he has to show why he deserves a place ahead of him while if England go with the more attacking team he could ease himself back into form with bat and ball through the series without pushing himself and possibly getting injured again and if he does that he will only get better each game which would be a huge asset to England in not only the series against SA but their futures games

Answer 7

Well I want broad to sacrifice for flintoff as i think flintoff is better from him in bowling and bating as well as he is a senior player too.

Answer 8

Why should anyone get dropped? The team is winning without Flin toff, and they gel well together.

It is up to Flintoff to force his way back in. His early season form, prior to his injury, suggested that he could force his way back in as a bowler. As the current unit is firing together, the avenues open to him now are either as a specialist batsman, or as an all-rounder batting at six.

His early season form with the bat was appalling. Unless this improves, he won't be challenging any of England's top six.

Yes, Collingwood and Bell have had a poor series. Big deal, so do most players. Collingwood is horribly out of form, but he just needs a couple of decent knocks to regain this. It is difficult to say whether Bell is in form or not, as he keeps getting out early.

I don't think there is a case for dropping any of the top six (not even Vaughan!)

For Flintoff to get back in, he will need to prove that he will contribute more than the player he replaces. And that he is fit. There are substantial doubts over both these areas.

So don't expect a Flintoff comeback against South Africa.

Unless England start struggling, which, as we are both positive Englishmen, we hope not to happen!

Answer 9

bell

Answer 10

England need to go with 6 genuine batters no matter what, since their batting is not really that strong.  

When Flintoff is fit, I would NOT immediately put him back into the team.  He is coming off an injury once again and will have to prove himself...so he will be no automatic selection.  Plus, he needs to show that he is fit and will not break down.

But if he does prove himself, Broad has to make way unfortunately.  But I'm sure Broad will be back.