Joe Root insists Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad do still have an England future

Joe Root has insisted the door has not slammed shut on the Test careers of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad despite their omissions from the upcoming tour of West Indies.

England’s long-serving leaders of the bowling attack were both dropped following the shambolic Ashes tour of Australia, part of a wider blood-letting that saw coach Chris Silverwood, assistant coach Graham Thorpe and team director Ashley Giles axed.

Broad expressed his frustration at being told the news in a five-minute phone conversation with interim managing director Andrew Strauss in his Mail on Sunday column.

England captain Joe Root (right) has insisted both James Anderson (left) and Stuart Broad (centre) do still have a Test future despite being dropped for the West Indies tour

Broad and Anderson have been England’s new ball bowlers for a long time with their axing from the West Indies tour taking both by surprise

And Anderson also described the news as a ‘shock and a disappointment’ on the Tailenders podcast.

But Root said both could be recalled to the England team for the summer fixtures.

The England captain said: ‘I have spoken to both Stuart and Jimmy. They are obviously disappointed and angry. 

‘Stu in particular has voiced that quite publicly and you would expect that. 

‘I have got a huge amount of respect for all of them but at no point has no-one said this is the end for them.

‘The guys on the tour have a real opportunity to step into some different roles, to take those opportunities, to grow themselves as players in this team and to strengthen what could be the backbone of this team moving forward. 

‘It would be great to see Stuart and Jimmy very much in the mix at the start of the summer as well. 

‘No one has said it is the end. There is obviously a lot that can happen within this tour and over the next period but that has been made clear that is certainly not the case.’

Root again hinted at a return for the pair for this summer’s home Tests against New Zealand, India and South Africa when asked if it will be easier for others to step up in their absence during the West Indies tour.

He said: ‘The fact they are not there is more that there are different roles people have to fill. 

‘They have taken the new ball for such a long period of time in English cricket, they have been leaders of the attack an they’ve done an extremely good job and I have a lot of respect for that. 

‘It is an opportunity for other guys to step into that space and become leaders as well, take on a different role within the team. 

‘Guys like Chris Woakes and others who will get the opportunity now to bowl with a brand new ball in away conditions. It’s furthering the knowledge for everyone. 

‘If we come away from this tour as victors and also gained a lot of knowledge on a number of other players and then there’s Jimmy and Broad to add back into things, we’re in a really strong position.’ 

England’s first Test with West Indies gets underway in Antigua on March 8.  

More to follow.