Woakes in for Roland-Jones for second Test, confirms Root

Woakes in for Roland-Jones for second Test, confirms Root

England captain Joe Root has confirmed that Chris Woakes will return to the side in place of Toby Roland-Jones for the second Test against Windies at Headingley beginning on Friday (August 25).

Woakes, who suffered a side strain in England's opening Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh in June, missed the victory at Edgbaston last week as England's management wanted him to have more bowling under his belt after recently returning to full fitness. Now that he has had that, the Warwickshire all-rounder will take his place in the side at Headingley at the expense of the unlucky Roland-Jones who has taken 14 wickets in his three Test matches to date.

"Toby unfortunately misses out," Root, who will take charge of his first Test at his home ground, told Sky Sports on Thursday (August 24). "He's not done a lot wrong - he's taken his opportunities, played some fantastic cricket and I see him being a massive part of our future, but it's a great chance for Chris to come back and show his class like he did last year."

Woakes established himself in England's Test team in 2016, playing 12 matches in all. He averaged over 30 with the bat and took 41 wickets at 25.41 which included two five-wicket hauls in the series against Pakistan last summer. England's management are keen to get Woakes some game time before the winter's Ashes but Roland-Jones also remains part of their winter plans. There is no place at Headingley for Hampshire legspinner Mason Crane although he may come in to contention for the final Test at Lord's.

England's crushing victory by an innings and 209 runs in the first Test at Edgbaston proved what many had known before the series. There is a gap in class and experience between the two teams - England are ranked third in the world and Windies ninth - but Root has warned his side against any complacency. He is aware that England have not been the most consistent of sides over the past three years themselves. Earlier this summer, for example, England beat South Africa by 211 runs at Lord's in the first Test of that series in July and then lost the next match by 340 runs at Trent Bridge.

"You look at occasions like that [the second South Africa Test] and want to make sure you put that right," Root said. "The way we played in the last game and the two previous games - we've played some really strong cricket, and the more momentum we can build moving forward is really important for us."

England's captain also expects Windies to put up a better showing than at Edgbaston. "Any Test match is always difficult starting out," Root said. "We know they're a side that are capable of some strong performances and we expect them to come back hard. We have got to make sure that our game is the best it can be and we follow up what was a really good win last week."