Chris Woakes dislocated his shoulder on Thursday and he can expect between four and six months of recovery, but the England star bravely came out to bat in his team’s most desperate hour against India
Piers Morgan hailed Chris Woakes’ ‘incredible courage’ as the England star bravely batted with his arm in a sling on the final day of fifth Test against India. Woakes, 36, suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding on day one at the Oval, an injury which could see him miss the Ashes in Australia later this year.
But the Warwickshire bowler was prepared to bat if his team needed him on the final day of a tug-of-war series which went the distance in every Test. With four wickets in hand, England required 35 runs to claim a 3-1 series win.
India had other ideas, though, with Mohammed Siraj scything through the hosts’ tail end to force Woakes out of the pavilion with the target down to just 17. “Our final man comes in, wearing a sling for his bust shoulder so he’ll bat one-handed. Incredible courage by Woakes. What amazing drama,” Morgan posted on X.
Gus Atkinson did his best to keep Woakes off strike and he was successful in doing so, meaning that England’s wounded star only had to run. That was still a challenge, as Woakes was clearly grimacing while running between the creases.
Ultimately, Siraj took Atkinson’s off stump out of the ground, earning India a narrow six-run victory in the Test and a hard-fought series draw. There was plenty of praise for their bowlers but Woakes’ bravery was the standout moment.
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During England’s chase, Morgan joked: “As for Woakes, he should get an immediate knighthood if we win this.”
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted: “Unbelievable. Gutted for England but WHAT a series. [Harry] Brook and [Joe] Root’s stand, India’s comeback, Woakes batting in a sling – iconic. Test cricket over five days…there’s nothing like it.”
Social media was awash with praise. “Utter Woakes nonsense,” one user quipped. Warwickshire also posted: “Chris Woakes, you absolute warrior.”
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, also had some kind words for Woakes, telling Test Match Special: “Very, very brave. I didn’t expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand, the other in the sweater, but good on him for showing that courage.”
Was a draw a fair result for the series? Have your say in the comments section.
England skipper Ben Stokes, who was absent through a shoulder injury of his own, also praised his bowlers for picking up the extra workload after Woakes came off on Thursday. “Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for,” Stokes explained.
“The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding.”
Head coach Brendon McCullum added: “I was surprised he ran the byes. Good on Woakesy, he is in an immense amount of pain.
“He was never in doubt that if needed he would walk down the stairs and try get us across the line. We will assess him over the coming days get some more information and work out what the plan is from there.”
