Chris Woakes faces the challenge of being the leader of England’s bowling group, with the 35-year-old set to win his 50th Test when the second Test against the West Indies begins on Thursday. With Jimmy Anderson retiring, he is now the oldest and most experienced pitcher on the team.
England captain Ben Stokes said: “I think it’s an opportunity for someone like Chris to take more of a leadership role in the bowling department. Woakes is a very experienced bowler, a very Experienced players.
“We’re used to Jimmy and Brody [Stuart Broad] this way. It’s a great opportunity for others to step up and be that person… Woakes has a wealth of experience and I’m sure he will thrive when given greater responsibility.
Without Anderson and Broad – the pavilion at Trent Bridge will be renamed in their honor before the game – Woakes will open the bowling. He will work with the much less experienced Gus Atkinson to assess conditions and provide feedback to the other bowlers.
“Jimmy has embraced the new ball and always found the best way to do it,” Stokes said. “The burden now falls on Gus and Woakes and then whoever is lucky enough gets to take the new ball and move on.”
Woakes performed below his best and took one wicket as England comfortably won his first Test at Lord’s last week, his first international appearance since the death of his father in May. “That game had more emotion for him,” Stokes said.
“He performed well even though he didn’t quite perform to the full extent of what we’re used to seeing. He was away from the game for a while because of the emotions, but now he’s back on the pitch doing what he wants to do matter.
Mark Wood will replace Anderson, the only change in the line-up (barring Ben Duckett being called up to join his wife as they await the birth of their first child), with Stokes keen to see the Durham pacer Excited at the prospect of combining with Atkinson, he took 12 wickets on his debut for the home team. “You ask any batsman in the world, speed is a huge weapon that allows you to do different things,” he said. “It makes you think differently. But you also have to be smart with your steps.
Newsletter Promotion Post
quick guide
England v West Indies
exhibit
England: 1 Zach Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (captain), 7 Jamie Smith ( Weeks), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Shoaib Bashir
West Indies: 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Kirk McKenzie, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales
“Gus proved last week that he’s not just an out-and-out fast bowler, he’s also incredibly skilled. The same goes for Mark Wood. To be able to bowl as fast as he does but with control and swing. Rod ability, which is very rare.
Stokes said he hopes to field another renowned pace bowler, Jofra Archer, soon, but the 29-year-old is unlikely to return to the Test squad this year. “It’s great to watch him play in the World Cup, but it’s important not to get too dizzy about it,” he said. “He’s still passionate about playing Test cricket but he’s had a very, very difficult few years. We don’t want to rush him back.
