Veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad are among eight players that have been dropped by England for their upcoming Test series against the West Indies.
The fallout from a disappointing 4-0 Ashes series loss to Australia has already claimed managing director Ashley Giles, head coach Chris Silverwood and assistant coach Graham Thorpe and the latest squad announcement for the Caribbean tour has seen even more casualties fall by the wayside.
Along with Anderson and Broad, Dom Bess, Sam Billings, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed and Dawid Malan are the other players who won’t travel to West Indies, with selectors instead opting for a host of new faces.
Durham opener Alex Lees and Yorkshire quick Matthew Fisher are in line for a Test debut after winning a call-up, while seamer Saqib Mahmood, spinner Matthew Parkinson and keeper Ben Foakes have also been included.
Interim managing director for England men’s cricket, Sir Andrew Strauss said it was the perfect time to freshen up the Test squad.
“With the start of a new cycle, it has allowed the selection panel to refresh the Test squad with a particular focus on competing away from home,” he said.
“We felt that it was time to draw a line after the Ashes defeat, look forward and give some impetus with an influx of new players.”
Strauss remains hopeful that Anderson and Broad still have plenty to offer the national side and expects the duo to be back playing for their country shortly.
“In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasize this does not mean the end for them as England players,” he added.
“We feel that it is important to look at some exciting new bowling potential and give some added responsibility to other players who have featured previously. No one doubts the quality and experience that James and Stuart bring to the England set-up. It will be up to the new managing director and permanent head coach to decide on whether they will be involved this summer and beyond.
“This selection of this squad is the start of a process and a journey to get England Test cricket back to where it needs to be, and the hard work starts now.”
England currently sit in ninth place on the ICC World Test Championship table with just 10 points, while the West Indies are one place ahead in eighth with 12 points.
England Men’s Test squad
Joe Root (c), Jonathan Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Matthew Fisher, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
