Broad

Amazing what happens when you bowl full and straight . Thats his place guaranteed for the next 15 tests

Broad bowls the odd unplayable spell but isn't entirely economical when it isn't moving around for him (yet).

His "deficiencies" are more exposed by Englands 4 bowler attack. If another bowler were selected (for instance in place of Bairstow who hasn't really fired yet) then he could be tried for a couple of overs and then "hidden" if it wasn't coming off.

Cook
Root/Carberry (I agree keep Root opening to get him experience but I think we need another opener getting experience too)
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Swann
Bresnan/Tremlett/Finn
Broad
Onions/Tremlett/Finn
Anderson

Should still be a strong batting lineup with a stronger bowling attack but the selectors prefer to hedge on the side of caution.

Addisons,

That for me looks a very long tail. They might be able to pick up a bat but Swann will never be a Test no 7, Broad perhaps could be but I still doubt that very much.

Prior batting at 6 wouldn't fill me with confidence neither.

I've never been and never will be a fan of a 5 man attack. If your best four bowlers can't take 20 wickets on a regular basis, then the problems lies there in them. Changing the balance of a side to fit in an extra seamer wouldn't be the answer.

Not just that but a side struggling to post 400 runs for how many Tests it is now can't afford to be dropping a specialist batsman.

Can anyone remember the last time we played Prior at six and five bowlers?

If memory serves me right, Headingley 2009. We got beat by an innings.

I cannot understand when bowling has been our strong point why anyone would weaken the batting for another bowler.

Especially when Root is becoming a useful part timer.

Swann is the key, whilst he takes up an end we can rotate 3 bowlers.

Agree fully with Galloping.

No one in their right mind would opt for a 5 man bowling attack...

Broad is a very good second bowler.

mostly when the presure is on he comes with the goods.

Really disagree with the Broad ~ Caddick comparison.

Caddick was someone who usually didn't take wickets unless someone else - usually Gough - had done well already.

Broad is the opposite - likely to produce his best if the rest of the attack is struggling.

And, the most successful England bowler is...........?

Who bagged the most wickets in the just concluded Ashes?