Ben Stokes backs Chris Woakes to thrive as England’s new attack leader

Chris Woakes has been challenged to take on the role of leader of England’s bowling group, with the 35-year-old in line to win his 50th Test cap when the second Test against West Indies starts on Thursday. After the retirement of Jimmy Anderson he is now the oldest and most experienced bowler in the squad.

Ben Stokes, the England captain, said: “I see it as an opportunity for someone like Chris to take on more of a leadership role in the bowling unit. Woakesy is a very experienced bowler, a very experienced player.

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“We’ve been so used to Jimmy and Broady [Stuart Broad] doing that. It’s a great opportunity for someone else to stand up and be that person … Woakesy has got a lot of experience and I’m sure he’ll thrive on taking on that bigger responsibility.”

Without Anderson and Broad – in whose honour the Pavilion End at Trent Bridge will be renamed before play – Woakes will open the bowling. Along with the vastly less experienced Gus Atkinson he will be expected to assess conditions and bring feedback to the other bowlers.

“Jimmy has taken the new ball and always seen what’s best to do,” Stokes said. “That burden now falls on Gus and Woakesy this week and then whoever is lucky enough to take the new ball going forward.”

Woakes looked below his best and took one wicket as England comfortably won the opening Test at Lord’s last week, in his first international appearance since the death of his father in May. “There was a lot more emotion attached to that game for him,” Stokes said.

“Even though he didn’t quite hit his straps like we’re used to seeing from him, it was a good run out. He took some time out of the game because of an emotional time, but now he’s back out on the field doing what he wants to be doing.”

Mark Wood will replace Anderson in the only change to the XI (unless Ben Duckett is called away to be with his wife as they await the birth of their first child) and Stokes is excited by the prospect of seeing the Durham paceman combine with Atkinson, who took 12 wickets on debut at Lord’s. “You ask any batter in the world, pace is a massive weapon that makes you do different things,” he said. “It makes you think dif­ferently. But also there has got to be skill attached to your pace.”

“Gus showed last week that he’s more than just an out-and-out quick bowler, he’s incredibly skilful. As is Mark Wood. The ability to bowl as quickly as he does but have control and swing as well is something that’s very rare.”

Stokes said he hoped to soon be able to field another noted pace bowler in Jofra Archer, but that the 29-year-old’s return to the Test side was unlikely this year. “Watching him play in the World Cup was great, but it’s about not getting too giddy with it,” he said. “He’s still got a lot of passion to play Test cricket but he’s been through a very, very tough few years. We’re not looking to rush him back.”