Why England dropped James Anderson and Stuart Broad for West Indies tour

England have dropped their all-time leading wicket-takers James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the upcoming tour to West Indies.

England will send a much-changed squad to the Caribbean for next month’s three-match Test series, with Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dom Bess and Sam Billings also axed in the wake of this winter’s woeful Ashes defeat in Australia.

Last week, England dispensed of the services of managing director Ashley Giles, head coach and chief selector Chris Silverwood and assistant coach Graham Thorpe.

A selection panel made up of interim director Sir Andrew Strauss, interim head coach Paul Collingwood and head scout James Taylor met on Tuesday to decide on the squad for the West Indies tour.

Anderson, 39, and Broad, 35, who share close to 1,200 Test wickets, have both been omitted from the touring party but Strauss insisted ‘this does not mean the end’ for the England legends.

Strauss said: ‘In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players.

‘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.’

The former England captain added: ‘With the start of a new cycle, it has allowed the selection panel to refresh the Test squad with a particular focus on competing away from home.

‘We felt that it was time to draw a line after the Ashes defeat, look forward and give some impetus with an influx of new players.’

England’s squad leaves for the Caribbean on February 24, with the first of three Test matches starting on March 8 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Speaking after England’s 4-0 Ashes defeat, Anderson – who topped the tourists’ bowling averages – said he wanted to be part of the squad for the West Indies.

‘I just want to keep working hard and I would love to be part of the West Indies tour in March,’ he wrote in a column for the Daily Telegraph.

‘I see that as my next challenge. Stuff is taken out of my hands in that respect but all I can do is bowl well and keep contributing.

‘I still get enjoyment out of bowling. I still love playing for England. I feel like I can actually help this team move forward. For me, that is why I keep going.’

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