Paul Collingwood, who was appointed as England‘s interim coach, said that he is looking forward to the 3-match test series in West Indies as it’s a good chance for the team to hit the reset button after the Ashes debacle. However, the former all-rounder will have to make some big decisions at the selection meeting after the huge disappointment in Australia.
Collingwood is currently in Barbados as he is having some holiday time with his family. He coached England’s T20 team as well last month when all the Ashes members were rested for the series.
“Both Root and Stokes are excited and passionate to take the team forward in the new cycle”- Paul Collingwood
“I can’t wait to get started. Having a challenging Test series against West Indies straight off the back of Ashes disappointment gives us a chance to reset and rebuild. We have an opportunity to get back on track,” Collingwood said.
England will have to make some big decisions in the selection meeting as most of them faced a torrid time down under. One of the big calls will be the future of the experienced pace bowling duo- James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The duo had taken more than 1100 wickets but they will have to ponder if both of them fit in the same XI.
Both Anderson and Broad played 3-match each in the Ashes. Broad wasn’t picked for the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests while Anderson was rested for the Brisbane and Hobart Test. For the past year or so, both have been rotated to manage their workload.
On the other side, there are more questions than answers in the batting line-up as they failed to reach 300-mark a single time in the 5-match Ashes series. Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley added some spark at the end part of the series but the likes of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed might face the axe.
“I have spoken to Joe Root and Ben Stokes and both are excited and passionate to take the team forward in the new cycle. Although they know it won’t be easy they have the desire and bravery to do things differently to ensure the team can prosper,” Collingwood added.
The test series will begin on March 8 at North Sound.
Also read Jason Gillespie Not Interested In Coaching Australia After Justin Langer’s Exit