For me Franklin comes into the team only as an allrounder if Jacob gives up bowling, im not sure I would have both of them in the team as allrounders with Dan aswell.
Flynn for me has a spot for as long as he wants it, I think he is a long term number 3 but should let him settle for a while at 5,6,7. I disagree with you Surge on How, I think he is an opener and we should persevere with him. Im a McIntosh fan, when he gets hundreds he gets big hundreds, 3 double centuries I think.
As to the role of a number 3 I think they need to be able to change a game, whether that be as a pure wall or as a strokeplayer, I think its Lawry or it could be Chappel always goes on about how a number 3 needs to be able to counter punch. I guess How could play this role but i quite like Ryder there, got two good starts last test but got himself out and got a jaffa. I think having Fulton breaking up the Ryder, Taylor, McCullum trio is a must (or Flynn for that matter). Needs someone in there to cool them down.
As much as I dislike redmond and think he is up to eff all I think he was starting to show something in the second innings in Brisbane, had done the hard work and was looking okay. Getting out caught and bowled in a test match is a bit of a no-no though.
We'll agree to disagree on How B-man, he can play that role, and has done before - more importantly, I believe it's where he can contribute more to the team... I like what I've seen of him at three, and his first class record at three is impressive, whilst he hasn't done much as a test opener thus far... I'd like to see Flynn stay where he is for the foreseeable future, he's still young - and I like how he bats (agree with your point about breaking up JR/RT & BM... JR at five then BM at seven) he's showing got some balls and a solid technique and provides a good anchor for the strokers to bat around, as he showed in Brissy, tho the strokers regretably forgot what type of stroking was required lol.
Whats Redmonds domestic record as an opener like? From what I've seen (which is only his test appearances) he doesn't seem to have the 'time' to play against the quick bowlers (140km+) as understandable as that is given there's not many/any in our domestic cricket - it just doesn't cut it for a test opener to be consistently late on playing shots... he seems anxious and whilst he did do some hard yards in Brissy, that dismissal was a Barry!!!
Agree with your first point re Jimbolino Frankliano... thats exactly what I was getting at lol