READY FOR NEW ERA
England bowling attack now a balancing act admits Root
PLANNING for a future without Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson was never going to be easy.
If anybody doubted how difficult managing a transition for England’s leading wicket-takers from absolute essential to sometimes desirable or even dropped, the resting of Broad last week and subsequent reaction said much.
But as Joe Root goes into a must-win second Test against a West Indies side sensing a once-ina-generation opportunity for an overseas series win, the resting of Anderson offered further proof England are looking long-term.
Root admitted yesterday the days when the pair were automatic selections might well be a thing of the past.
With England looking to plan for the next Ashes in Australia in 18 months time and the chances high that neither will be making the trip, there is a need to look at new combinations.
England made clear that resting Anderson, who turns 38 this month, and Mark Wood – both feeling the effects of their exertions in Southampton – is perhaps born of necessity given the abbreviated nature of this series. Particularly for Anderson, right, who will probably be back in the saddle for the third Test next week.
Yet it is also a signal that plans are in place to move from an overreliance on the pair for wickets to a new future.
Asked about the rotation of his leading lights yesterday, Root was diplomatic. “One thing you know about Broady and Jimmy is that they are still performing right at the level needed for Test cricket,” he said of a pair responsible for 1,072 Test wickets between them.
“This is more of a decision based on the balance of the attack. In the last game we wanted that extra firepower on a wicket that looked like it could be very slow and go up and down, and that was the thinking behind it.
“But with Stuart and Jimmy, trying to maximise their careers, it is really important to make sure they are playing for as long as possible.
“If that has to be slightly different to how it has been over the past few years then we might have to think outside the box and not play them in every game or together all the time.
“That is not to say it won’t happen again, they are two worldwho class performers and we are very very lucky to have them.
“I also think it is important that we don’t wish them away too early and look elsewhere too quickly and we really try and enjoy two of England’s all-time great bowlers.”
Broad and Chris Woakes appear likely to come in for the pair here at Old Trafford as England look to square the series 1-1.
Joe Denly’s spell in Test cricket could be at an end after he was finally moved aside. Denly lost his place to the returning Root but in reality it has gone to Zak Crawley who top-scored in England’s second innings with 76.
“Joe has done a brilliant job for us,” said Root.
“I think he’ll be just as frustrated as anyone that he’s not managed to quite convert those opportunities. But certainly the door’s not closed.”