The ECB's interim managing director urges the pair to "get themselves fired up and ready to go" in time for the home international summer after being left out of the West Indies tour
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are not being pushed into England retirement and have been urged to ensure they are fit and firing in time for the home international summer after being left out of the Test squad to face West Indies.
Those were the sentiments expressed by the ECB's interim managing director Andrew Strauss, who spoke to broadcast and written media to explain why the pair, who have taken 1,177 Test wickets, will be left behind for the series next month.
They were among eight players dropped after the 4-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia and while that group includes an injured Jos Buttler and Rory Burns there is no doubt the legendary seam pair are the headline omissions.
Strauss attempted to strike a balanced tone, insisting the careers of England's two most potent fast-bowlers are not being drawn to a close but also that the team needs to evolve after years of treading water - particularly in unfamiliar climes.
He also wants to spread the leadership load between more members of the current team.
"It is the start of a new cycle and it is a refresh and a reset and that dressing room will feel very different without Broad and Anderson in it over the course of the tour but I wouldn't in any way want people to think that Broad and Anderson aren't thoroughly professional in everything they do in an England shirt," the ex-England skipper told Sky Sports News.
"That's why they've been as successful as they have been in England colours and they've still got a lot to offer both on and off the field.
Is Strauss calling last orders on Anderson and Broad's Test careers? (Michael Steele/AFP/Getty Images)
"They're both very disappointed, and that doesn't surprise me; they're very passionate about playing for England. So I hope that they understand the rationale for the decision and I hope also they understand that no one is saying this is the end of the road for either of them.
"I suppose there's a danger (they see it as moving on), but I was trying to be as clear as I can with them.
"And I suppose their job right at the moment is to get themselves fired up and ready to go for the start of the international summer in June."
England's red-ball summer includes two three-Test series against New Zealand in June and South Africa in August and September, either side of the postponed fifth Test of the India series carried over from 2021.
Though the door remains open for Anderson and Broad at home, it is clear that Strauss believes their days of leading the attack on the road is not the automatic option it once was.
Even under Chris Silverwood, selection had seemingly been drifting towards that conclusion too. Anderson has figured in seven of England's last 11 away Tests and Broad just six. And only three of them ended in victories.
The sight of Anderson and Broad being sidelined away from home is far from an unfamiliar one (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
"I just think it's important to look at the frame in which we're looking at this tour," Strauss added to BBC's Test Match Special.
"The truth is our Test team haven't performed well for a while now and our batting, in particular, hasn't been up to the level it needs to be.
"Secondly, if we want to be the best team in the world, we have to win away from home consistently.
"We haven't done that - I think we've won four out of our last 13 series away from home, and that needs to improve. And this is the start of a new cycle, so it's an opportunity to refresh and look forward.
"With that in mind we see this as an opportunity to bring some new blood into the bowling resources. [There is] obviously some change in the batting line-up as well, but [we will] also ask our existing bowlers to play a slightly different role to the one they've played before and show a bit more leadership, so we have the opportunity to do that now.
"No-one is saying that Broad and Anderson won't feature this summer and beyond but my job, I think, as director of cricket, is to give whoever takes over, the new director of cricket and coach, options from which to pick.
"I think this tour we can learn more about the options we do have."