Joe Root before facing the West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday: “When opportunities arise in Test cricket, you take them. I am quite sure that [Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s replacements] they are in a very good place to do that.”
Joe Root has urged England to “look ahead” rather than dwell on the omissions of Stuart Broad and James Anderson from the Test series against the West Indies.
England face the Windies in the first of three Tests in Antigua on Tuesday but have left Broad and Anderson, their main wicket-takers, at home.
Chris Woakes and Mark Wood will lead England’s bowling attack.
Asked if he regretted leaving out Broad and Anderson, England captain Root said: “No. It’s important that we look forward to this series with enthusiasm.
“When opportunities arise in Test cricket, you grab them. I am completely sure that [Broad and Anderson’s replacements] they are in a very good place to do so.
“They can grab [their chance] and be older. To show what they are capable of in slightly new roles with the new ball in hand.”
Root said of the composition of England’s bowling attack: “It is important that we see how the wicket changes.
“It changed in practice yesterday: the amount of water I had.
“It will be interesting to see him today to see how he has changed.
“Then we will make a decision based on that.”
He said of his own role, “I know I can offer something to this team in terms of effects.”
England have not won in the West Indies since 1968 and now head there after a damaging Ashes defeat at the hands of Australia.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to prove a point,” Root said.
“Historically, this is not an easy place for England to play. That is an opportunity for the group – to come out on top would be a great achievement.”
Root survived the post-Ashes sacrifice that cost head coach Chris Silverwood and director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles their jobs, and reiterated his commitment to leading the team: “Yes, absolutely.
“It would be a mistake to commit in the short term.
“I am excited, committed and energized at the opportunity to take this team forward.”
Sir Ian Botham says England’s tour of the West Indies is an opportunity for an “update” of the test team, although he added that the fallen James Anderson and Stuart Broad are not yet finished.
The two, despite a combined 1,177 Test wickets between them, were left out of the tour party as England looked to turn the team around who lost to the Ashes 4-0 over the winter.
Botham was joined by Sir Viv Richards to speak to the media ahead of Tuesday’s first test between the West Indies and England in Antigua, with the two teams competing for the newly named Richards-Botham Trophy for the first time.
“I think it will be a close series.” Bothham said. “England are going through a period where we need to take a hard look at our red ball cricket, to see how we can get back to where we were.
“I don’t think anyone has ruled out Anderson or Broad. But time is passing and you have to start looking to the future.”
“This is seen as an opportunity, after a tough tour of Australia, where we got hammered, to get a chance to cool off, sit back and see how deep we really are. People like Mark Wood, it’s a great opportunity for him to show the world what it has.
