Joe Root has declined to divulge his role in the decision to drop Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad for the West Indies tour but said it does not shut the door on their record-breaking careers.
On the day Anderson followed Broad by venting his frustration and saying he was “praying” this is not the end, Root was pressed in his first press conference since the Ashes defeat put his own captaincy in doubt on whether he sanctioned the call, despite not having a vote in the selection meeting chaired by Andrew Strauss.
“I don’t think we should have to air every single bit of information,” said Root before the team’s departure for Antigua on Thursday.
“Clearly, it was a discussion point for a long period of time but the decision has been made and we’ve got to look at the squad we have got and how we’re going to beat West Indies. Sometimes we have been slightly too honest and certain things should stay in the room. I think that’s the case with this scenario.
“I’ve spoken to Stuart and Jimmy and they’re obviously disappointed, angry, and Stuart in particular has voiced that quite publicly. And you’d expect that. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for both of them. At no point – it’s been made very clear – no one is saying this is the end for them.”
Like Broad, Anderson is waiting on the appointment of England’s new management team and their views on the subject, while also sharing similar disgruntlement that a “five‑minute phone call” from Strauss – temporarily in charge – relayed the news. The 39-year-old appears determined to plough on, however, telling the BBC’s 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.
“I’ve got one more go at digging deep. I’ve got a lot left to offer – I’ve still got the hunger and passion to play.
“There is likely to be a new director of cricket and new head coach so I just hope that whatever decision is made, it is talked about in the way that it should be. Another frustration for me is that it was just a five-minute phone call – it doesn’t really clear much up for you.”
Root offered a slightly contradictory explanation overall, saying it would give bowlers such as Chris Woakes experience with the new ball for future endeavours and help forge a “backbone for this team”, while in the same breath stating “we’ve got to look after what’s right in front of us”.
After one victory in England’s past 14 Tests the 31-year-old certainly needs results in the three-match series that starts on 8 March and, in a bid to kickstart the ailing batting lineup that failed to pass 300 in Australia, will move up a spot to No 3. Coming off the back of a strong 2021 that included six centuries, Root said he is ready for a berth that has previously proved challenging, with an average of 38 from 30 Tests at first drop, compared with 51 at No 4.
Root said: “It’s the first time [moving to No 3] has sat comfortably with me; the first time I’ve been really excited and not slightly apprehensive about it. I am coming into it having had a really strong year with a lot more clarity about how I’m going to score my runs.
“I’m not saying that guarantees success, I’ll have to work really hard to transfer those performances to No 3. But I feel excited about it, I’m very motivated and I feel ready for it now. I just want to get my teeth into it, get some runs on the board early and support those openers, get us off to a good start.”
Root also shared his sadness that Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood and Graham Thorpe lost their jobs after the Ashes and on his own continuation as captain he said: “I didn’t waver. I’m very passionate about trying to take this team forward. I’m grateful I’ve got that opportunity. I’m very motivated to come away with what would be a brilliant achievement, [England] having won [in the Caribbean] once since the 1960s.”
