Rob Key and new England captain Ben Stokes ready to recall James Anderson and Stuart Broad

Rob Key has told James Anderson and Stuart Broad they are available for England selection and says new Test captain Ben Stokes is keen for them to be recalled.

‘Before it got announced that I got this job, I called them both up and said, “in my opinion, you’re both available for selection”,’ Key told Sky Sports.

‘I can’t promise you that you’re going to play but you’re available for selection. Ben Stokes has been very clear in the fact that he wants Jimmy and Broady to come back in.

‘Now, it will purely be done on what is the best XI to win that first Test match. Nothing more, nothing less. If they are in that – which they may well be because they’re two great bowlers – then they play.’

Asked how Anderson and Broad were following their omissions for England’s Test tour to West Indies, Key added: ‘They were fine actually, they just want to continue on this journey that they’ve been on.

‘They didn’t want it to finish in the way it could have done. They were obviously pleased to be up for selection for that first Test match.’

More to follow…

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