PAUL NEWMAN: Culpable Joe Root is VERY lucky to survive England’s post-Ashes bloodbath

It has not exactly been the quietest of weeks for Sir Andrew Strauss on his return to his old job in charge of England cricket. Just a complete overhaul of firstly the main coaching staff and now the playing squad who let their country down so spectacularly in Australia.

That’s 10 departures at the hands of Strauss – and clearly he is the driving force behind the new-look Test squad – and 11 in all if you count Ashley Giles, whose sacking by ECB chief executive Tom Harrison last Wednesday set the ball rolling and led to the re-introduction of the ‘interim’ managing director in the first place.

But there is one senior figure who has not only escaped one of the biggest and most dramatic culls in English Test history but has been empowered further despite being culpable in all the big mistakes in the worst of all Ashes debacles in Australia.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are shock omissions from England’s West Indies squad

Interim managing director Andrew Strauss is clearly the driving force behind the new squad

Make no mistake, the axing of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad is another massive vote of confidence in Joe Root to rise from the ashes of England’s humiliation this winter and build a new England Test side despite showing no real improvement as captain.

Sportsmail reported England were considering leaving out one of the big two but the absence of both is a clear sign Root has been handed a squad not only lacking its best bowlers but also two of its most dominant dressing room personalities.

The suggestion now is Root will find it easier to move on and create his own side without two bowling champions who both Sir Alastair Cook and his successor have found difficult to manage at times, perhaps leading to factions within the side in Australia.

The move is clearly another major vote of confidence for England captain Joe Root

This is no repeat of England’s controversial decision to ditch Kevin Pietersen and empower Cook after the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, a move that was to be rubber-stamped for good by Strauss when he became team director in 2015.

But clearly Strauss wants to give Root one more chance to show he can be a strong captain even though he is surely only still in the role after five years and three failed Ashes campaigns because of the total absence of any credible leadership alternatives.

And if Root flourishes in the Caribbean, with his loyal lieutenant Ben Stokes by his side, maybe England in the form of whoever becomes their new managing director and coach will feel the absence of the class of Anderson and Broad should become permanent.

Anderson and Broad pictured with Strauss in his time as England captain back in 2011

England have at least put their foot down in one way with Root. 

It is understood Strauss has insisted he bats at three against West Indies in a line-up that is short of anyone else capable of doing the job in the surprise absence of Dawid Malan.

That is where, as Trevor Bayliss always used to believe, Root should be as England’s best batter and it is where he will attempt to again lead from the front in what must surely be his last stand as captain.

How Root galvanises his inexperienced troops will determine what comes next – and decide the long-term futures of Anderson and Broad.