England drop eight players from Ashes defeat for West Indies tour – including Broad and Anderson
England have dropped eight players who were in their 2021/22 Ashes squad for their upcoming three-match series against the West Indies, including their two most prolific wicket-takers, Stuart Broad and James Anderson.
A 16-man squad has been announced for the three-Test series with Anderson, Broad, Jos Buttler, Sam Billings, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Rory Burns and Dom Bess all omitted.
Durham opener Alex Lees and Yorkshire quick Matthew Fisher have received maiden call-ups, while the Lancashire duo of Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood have also been included. Surrey keeper Ben Foakes has also been named in the squad.
The most controversial decision taken by the selection panel – consisting of interim managing director of men’s cricket Andrew Strauss, interim head coach Paul Collingwood and head scout James Taylor – is the one to leave out both Anderson and Broad.
“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,” said Strauss.
“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.
“In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players. 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 Test squad to face the West Indies: Joe Root (c), Jonny 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
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