James Anderson And Stuart Broad Dropped From England's Squad For West Indies Test Series

Senior England pace bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been dropped from England’s squad for the Test series against West Indies next month.

On Tuesday, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a 16-member squad for the three-Test matches in the Caribbean.

Is it end for James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s playing career?

The decision was taken by a selection panel comprising interim managing director Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood, interim coach for the West Indies tour and James Taylor, a selector.

England cricket is aiming for a complete transition in red-ball cricket after the Ashes disaster which led to the axing of Chris Silverwood (head coach) and Graham Thorpe (assistant coach) from coaching roles.

Leaving Broad and Anderson, who share 1177 Test scalps between them, it could be a hint to put curtains on their careers.

This does not mean the end for James Anderson and Stuart Broad: Andrew Strauss

However Strauss has mentioned that the shocking move does not mean the Test careers of the senior England players are over.

“In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players,” Strauss issued a statement, as published on ECB’s official website.

“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,” he further mentioned.

Joe Root will continue to lead England in Test cricket but wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler along with Dawid Malan, Dominic Bess, Sam Billings, Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed were also excluded from the 16-man squad.

Durham opener Alex Lees, Yorkshire pacer Matthew Fischer and Lancashire duo of Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson were handed maiden call in Test cricket.

England Squad for West Indies Test series: Joe Root (C), Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Matthew Fischer, 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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