Joe Root wants his faltering Test team to grow a new backbone that doesn’t rely on the wicket-taking largesse of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.
And he is hoping to see the stiffening of that aim begin in the West Indies across a three-Test series starting next month.
The pressure is being piled on the likes of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to take up the new ball and deliver for Root in a region where England have won just once in 54 years.
But the idea that the removal of both Anderson and Broad will suddenly turn Woakes into a major threat overseas, or that the new faces of Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher will become instant world-beaters is a gamble.
“The guys that are on the tour have got a real opportunity to step into some slightly different roles, and to take those opportunities,” said Root.
“To grow themselves as players within this team and to strengthen what could be the backbone of this team moving forward.
“I’ve spoken to both Jimmy and Stuart and they’re angry and disappointed and you’d expect that. The fact they’re not there means there are different roles others have to fill.
“They’ve taken the new ball for such a long time in English cricket, they’ve been leaders of the attack, had a lot of success and deserve a huge amount of respect for it.
“But this is an opportunity for other guys to step into that space and become leaders as well like Chris Woakes and others, who will get the chance to bowl with a brand new ball in a Test match in away conditions.
Should Broad and Anderson have been selected? Have your say here.
“The likes of Mark Wood had a fantastic tour of Australia, bowled with heart, great passion, speed, endurance.
“It’s a chance for him to grow and develop as a player as well. And really, I want those guys to step into that void and enjoy that challenge, and enjoy becoming more senior within the group.”
Despite insisting the door wasn’t shut on Anderson and Broad for the summer, Root refused to be drawn on just how much influence he had on the decision to axe England’s two most successful bowlers in history.
His desire to take the team in a new direction though says plenty about the changes.
And with the decision comes extra pressure on a captain who needs results if he is to stay in the job beyond this tour of the Caribbean, something he is well aware of.
“I'm very grateful that I've got the opportunity to lead this team forward,” he added. “It was a decision that was out of my hands.
“What a great chance we have now, what an exciting squad it looks like, some new faces, and a chance for us to really reshape this team and drive it forward in a positive way.
“I'm very passionate about trying to take this team forward. I'm grateful I've got that opportunity, I really am.
“I’ve not put a time limit on my captaincy, not at all and I know there is a lot of hard work ahead.”
