England tour of West Indies: Chris Woakes ready to lead England attack sans James Anderson and Stuart Broad – Chris Woakes will have an added responsibility of leading the pace bowling attack without two of England’s most experienced bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the upcoming Test series against West Indies. Anderson and Broad, who share 1177 Tests wickets were axed from the squad after a dismal performance in the Ashes series Down Under. Follow Eng vs WI series live updates on InsideSport.IN.
Woakes, who is 33 years of age has been with the team for the past seven years. He also has a fair idea of the playing in West Indies. The England all-rounder is ready to step up and do well for the team without Anderson and Broad.
England tour of West Indies: Chris Woakes relishes leadership prospect in the absence of Anderson, Broad; backs England to thrive despite the loss of 1177 wicket duo
“When someone says you’re the senior bowler it basically means you’re getting old, doesn’t it?’ says the man who turns 33 just before England’s first Test next month. ‘But when I look at the guys who haven’t been picked I know I’ll have to step up and be a leader. The best way to lead will be to perform in the West Indies,” Woakes said to Sportsmail.
Chris Woakes Numbers in Test cricket
- Has played 42 Test matches and has taken 125 wickets
- Six for 17 best bowling figures
- Has scored 1535 runs in 68 innings with six fifties and one hundred
- First time leading the pace attack
- Has two uncapped pace bowlers Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher for company
Woakes further opined that he was surprised to his name for the Test tour of West Indies. The England all-rounder admitted that he did not have a great Ashes and said he was concentrating on improving his game.
England tour of West Indies: Chris Woakes relishes leadership prospect in the absence of Anderson, Broad; backs England to thrive despite the loss of 1177 wicket duo
“I didn’t have a great Ashes trip with the ball and I had no reason to expect to be selected for West Indies,’ Woakes admits. ‘I was looking over my shoulder as to whether I would effectively keep my job, make the next tour.”
This will be the first instance in a decade that both Broad and Anderson have been left of the Test side. This is also the first time the duo won’t travel to West Indies for the Test series. Anderson has 640 wickets to his name and Broad has taken 537 wickets. The ECB now wants to explore other pace bowling options and look beyond the Anderson-Broad duo.
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