Liam Plunkett V Sajid Mahmood.

With Harmison Likely to be back for the trent bridge test who should hold on the their place in the side?

At the moment I think it to close to call. Plunkett has looked great and has started picking up wikets but Mahmood's action sugests that he will be devistateing with the old ball (rev swing) and as its Jones he would be replacing this would be perfect. But then Plunkett was a class act today, I think at the moment he is a wisker ahead. Plus he can bat a bit.

Plunkett definitely unless sajid mahmood really bowls well in the second innings he is a handy bat as well was just a bit unlucky in the first test to have had catches dropped of him

tough call...but pace has its own advantage! if its about a bowler who can bat...where is kabir ali? He is better than plunkett, his only test debut was against a strong south african side in which he got 5 wkts..yet somehow he was dropped like many other players before him. Plunkett has done well against a sri lankan team which will struggle to beat bangladesh!

Kabir ali:

Bowling averages

class	mat	balls	runs	wkts	bbi	bbm	ave	econ	sr	4	5	10
Tests	1	216	136	5	3/80	5/136	27.20	3.77	43.20	0	0

Edited by inzamam329

Mahmood has surprised me in his two tests by looking a whole lot better than I would have imagined - bear in mind he couldn't even get into the Lancashire side for much of last season.

Even so I would still go for Plunkett who has a glorious high arm action and I believe has the greater potential

The selectors have left out Harmy so one more chance for them to fight it out, round one to plunket

Plunkett bowled really well 6 for 60 in the 2nd test enogh for him to go into the next test ,but i would also want him to score some runs .Is Harmison sure to come back??????Poor Ian Bell i feel sorry for him .

Both are likely to start on Friday and that can only be beneficial to England. The more experience they can both get before Pakistan and Australia come around will be invaluable.

   Plunkett knows Fletcher wants some runs from him , and as yet , he's failed badly. He's better than that shabby shot in the last test and needs to knuckle down and make an impression.

    Mahmood can hit big ones too , but he'll never be a number 8. He'll know that it'll be his bowling that will give him the chance to represent his country and he'll always bat around 10. His primary advantage over Plunkett is pace and bounce - something that might get him the nod if the sun comes out and we get some pacier pitches!!

His disadvantage is his similarities to Harmison. Fortunately he does reverse the old ball , but then he's competing with Jones and Flintoff and he won't replace either of those!

I'm sure they'll both give their all , come Friday and it'll be fascinating to watch.

Irrespective of who plays in the near future , both have the prospect of long test careers.

I agree Mazzy , of the two I think Mahmood could be the one that runs through a side to win a test. He might be a couple of years older than Plunkett but if he keeps improving , batsmen might not fancy him on a quick track.

im my opinion Plunkett's just edged a spot on the team. he's a tidy bowler and a better batsman than Mahmood.

After Sajid's nightmare in the last match I'd even go for my mother-in-law before him at this time!

Nice slow (VERY slow!) left armer is Mary , accurate ,good seam position , but she tires quickly (well she's 82 now!!)