England men's managing director Rob Key has called time on Chris Woakes' Test career after the seamer was overlooked for the Ashes, while also stating Harry Brook 's credentials as "a better leader" led to him replacing Ollie Pope as vice-captain.

Key was speaking 24 hours after England announced their 16-man squad for this winter's tour of Australia. While the presence of Will Jacks was the only surprising name in the touring party, the absence of Woakes and a new deputy to Ben Stokes - which had been teased by head coach Brendon McCullum - were the main talking points in an otherwise predictable touring party.

Woakes is a veteran of two previous Ashes tours. Though he possesses an average of 51.68 in Australia, he had enjoyed a new lease of life as England's attack leader

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