JOE ROOT tossed a huge question mark into his Ashes strategy after Chris Woakes was dumped for the final Test of the summer.
England’s batting line-up for their Aussie adventure is already clouded by doubt and now the bowling has been thrust into uncertainty.
Woakes, 28, sits out the series-deciding Investec Third Test against West Indies today following his poor display in last week’s defeat at Headingley.
It is an admission that England were wrong to rush back the Warwickshire all-rounder so soon after a torn side muscle.
Toby Roland-Jones, who played three Tests earlier in the summer, returns on his home ground at Lord’s and instantly becomes an Ashes contender.
England must now decide whether Woakes or Roland-Jones, 29, is their first-choice third seamer behind James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
It will probably be Woakes — but the Ashes warm-up games suddenly take on extra significance.
Only Alastair Cook and Root himself are certain to bat in the top five in the First Ashes Test in Brisbane on November 23.
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At least six batsmen are challenging for the other three places. Woakes was short of pace and rhythm in Leeds but, having bowled 33 overs there and excelled for his county in T20 Finals Day on Saturday, he was expected to keep his place.
Root said: “Chris passed all the fitness tests before Headingley but it is difficult to balance between being physically fit and bowling the right amount in games. Toby deserves another opportunity.
“Chris has been such a focal point of our team for the last year or so but Toby has done very well.
“It’s a great problem to have — you want guys putting their hands up with strong performances.”
With the Windies series locked at 1-1, England are looking for the win to end their Test summer on a high.
And after four single-figure scores on the trot, Essex batsman Tom Westley has a final chance to secure an Ashes berth.
He scored a half-century on his Test debut earlier this summer but has looked progressively more anxious about his technique being scrutinised.
Root, aiming to set a new world record of 13 consecutive Tests scoring a half-century, added: “We talk about the game a lot.
“You can pick each other’s brains but nobody knows Tom’s game like Tom himself. He’s smart and had a lot of success.
“One of the biggest challenges of Test cricket is having your technique analysed from every different camera angle.
“Trying to find a way of overcoming that and being strong enough to trust your game is important.”
Meanwhile, circular blemishes that appeared on the Lord’s square are causing a stir.
They are known as fairy rings and are caused by mushroom spores.
Groundstaff insist they are a natural phenomenon and will not have any impact on play.
Root said: “I have no idea whether it is just a visual blemish or if it will make any difference.”
TEAMS — ENGLAND: Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (capt), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow (wkt), Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson.
WINDIES: Brathwaite, Powell, K Hope, S Hope, Chase, Blackwood, Reifer, Holder (capt), Dowrich (wk), Roach, Gabriel.
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