"No one is saying this is the end for them": Root on Anderson, Broad

Joe Root, despite facing a crushing Ashes defeat was able to hold his post and he was thankful for it. Root who did not have to face scrutiny and was allowed to captain the side, said, “It’s never nice when you see people that you’ve worked closely with for a long period of time lose their jobs." 

Ahead of the departure for the Caribbean on Thursday, the 31-year old added, “They’ve given a huge amount to English cricket. I really hope they find something that fulfils them.”

While speaking of the Ashes, he commented, “Clearly it was a disappointing tour and we massively underperformed. Off the back of it, we have to use this opportunity for a fresh start. I’m very grateful that I’ve got the opportunity to do that as captain."

England will travel to the West Indies without their two premium bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. 

Root, however, looks at it as an opportunity for others instead of the end of the pace duo. "They've taken the new ball for such a long time in English cricket, they've been leaders of the attack, had a lot of success and deserve a huge amount of respect for it. But this is an opportunity for other guys to step into that space and become leaders as well.”

"You'd expect that. I've got a huge amount of respect for both of them. It's been made very clear, no one is saying this is the end for them. It would be great to see Stuart and Jimmy very much in the mix at the start of the summer as well.”

In absence of Anderson and Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood are expected to lead the bowling attack. "Over time, [Woakes] has not played a huge amount of cricket away from home in the recent past. He's constantly been our first-change bowler or second-change bowler, he's not had the opportunity to bowl with the new ball away from home.” 

The Yorkshireman continued, "That change in role and mindset might have a massive difference. He's someone that's done it in the white-ball game and grown massively from it, and gained a huge amount of confidence and ability from stepping into that void, and there's no reason why he can't do it with the red ball in hand as well.”

"Mark Wood had a fantastic tour of Australia, he bowled with heart, great passion, speed, endurance, being able to do it for long periods of time. It's a chance for him to grow and develop as a player as well. And really, I want those guys to step into that void and enjoy that challenge and enjoy becoming more senior within the group."

England are scheduled to tour the West Indies for three Tests starting from March 8. Root-led England team is aiming to win a Test series in the West Indies as the only England touring side since 1968.