England Test team will play the first Test match against West Indies on March 8. After a poor show in the Ashes Test series, Joe Root’s men will be hoping for an impressive away Test series against West Indies.
In a situation like this, England Test team skipper Joe Root talked about his team’s preparations for the Test series against West Indies.
Root speaks
"Clearly, it was a disappointing tour and we massively underperformed," Root told reporters on February 23 (Wednesday).
"I think off the back of it, we have to use this opportunity for a fresh start. As Straussy's (interim director Andrew Strauss) mentioned, a bit of a reset... I'm very grateful that I've got the opportunity to do that as captain. I know there's a lot of hard work ahead, and I'm very much looking forward to that challenge. And that starts on this tour first. It's a real opportunity that we've got to take with both hands,” Root explained.
On the other hand, in a major development, England’s lethal pace bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will not be seen in action against West Indies in the Test series.
While talking about this, skipper Root said that “no-one is saying this is the end for them.”
Anderson and Broad not included
"I've spoken both to Stuart and Jimmy... they're obviously disappointed, angry... at no point, no one is saying this is the end for them," said the 31-year-old England skipper.
"If we're in a position where they can come back into this team, then great, that's only going to strengthen things. So a lot can happen between now and then."
Anderson on the other hand, said on the Tailenders podcast, "I'm praying this isn't the end.
"But if I never play for England again, I know I've got amazing people around me to support me and that's really important.”
England team will play three Test matches against West Indies. The second Test match is scheduled to start on March 16 and the third and final Test match will commence on March 24.
England Test squad:
Joe Root (captain), Jonathan 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
