Broad and Anderson among eight England axe

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are among eight players to have been dropped by England from the Test squad to tour the West Indies next month.

The veterans' axing, and other omissions, suggests England are embarking on wholesale change after the Ashes debacle when they were lucky to escape with a 4-0 defeat.

However, Andrew Strauss, who led the selection panel in the absence of a permanent head coach, said of 'Branderson', "this does not mean the end for them as England players."

Also left out are opening batters Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed, No.3 bat David Malan, spinner Dom Bess, wicketkeeper-batsmen Jos Buttler and Sam Billings. Of those Buttler has been nursing a broken finger suffered in Australia while Billings was his replacement.

Recalled to the side is wicketkeeper Ben Foakes while four uncapped players are included: opening batsman Alex Lees, seam bowlers Saq Mahmood and Matthew Fisher, and legspinner Matt Parkinson.

Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes survive despite performing poorly in the Ashes, as do Dan Lawrence and Craig Overton who toured Australia but did not play a Test.

"With the start of a new cycle, it has allowed the selection panel to refresh the Test squad with a particular focus on competing away from home," said Andrew Strauss.

"We felt that it was time to draw a line after the Ashes defeat, look forward and give some impetus with an influx of new players.

"In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players. We feel that it is important to look at some exciting new bowling potential and give some added responsibility to other players who have featured previously.

"No one doubts the quality and experience that James and Stuart