Root wants a new spine to stand tall

JOE ROOT wants his faltering Test team to grow a backbone that does not rely on the wicket-taking exploits of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.

And the England skipper hopes that plan begins to take shape in the West Indies across a three-Test series, starting next month.

The pressure is on players such as Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to take up the new ball and deliver for Root in a region where England have won just once in 54 years.

But the idea that the removal of both Anderson and Broad will suddenly turn Woakes into a major threat overseas, or that the new faces of Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher will become instant world beaters, is a gamble.

“The guys on the tour have a real opportunity to step into some slightly different roles, and to take those opportunities,” said Root.

“They can grow as players within this team and strengthen what could be the backbone of this team moving forward.

“I’ve spoken to both Jimmy and Stuart and they’re angry and disappointed and you would expect that.The fact they’re not there means there are different roles others have to fill.

“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 a golden opportunity for other guys to step into that space and become leaders as well, like

Chris Woakes and others who will get the chance to bowl with a brand new ball in a Test match in away conditions.

“The likes of Mark Wood had a fantastic tour of Australia, bowled with heart, great passion, speed and endurance.

“It’s a chance for him to grow and develop as a player as well. I want those guys to step into that void and enjoy that challenge and enjoy becoming more senior within the group.”

Despite insisting the door was not shut on Anderson and Broad for the summer, Root refused to be drawn on how much influence he had on the decision to axe England’s two most successful bowlers.

His desire to take the team in a new direction says plenty about the changes for this series, which begins on March 8.

And with the decision comes extra pressure on a captain who needs results if he is to stay in the job beyond this tour, something he is well aware of.

“I’m very grateful that I’ve got the opportunity to lead this team forward,” he said.

“It was a decision that was out of my hands.

“What a great chance we have now, what an exciting squad it looks like, some new faces and a chance for us to really reshape this team and

drive it forward in a positive way.

“I am very passionate about trying to take this team forward.

“I’ve not put a time limit on my captaincy, not at all and I know there is a lot of hard work ahead.”