How Chris Woakes overcame injury to deliver for England at crucial moment
It was a remarkable scene to end a remarkable series. On Friday morning. Chris Woakes was ruled out for the rest of the fifth Test match at The Oval on Friday morning. Three days later, though, he walked out to the crease with his left arm in a sling beneath his jumper, prepared to bat one-handed and on his non-dominant side, as England needed just 17 runs to win.
Woakes stepped out of the dressing-room from the Bedser Stand. The drama and tension of the series decider only enhanced after this move, making the moment as moving as Rishabh Pant's hobble walk to the crease in Manchester with a fractured foot.
England are yet to provide an official statement on Woakes injury
England are yet to give an official statement, but it is believed that Woakes dislocated his shoulder while diving in the field on the opening day of the Test. He is set to consult a specialist this week to assess the severity of the injury. Woakes has been ruled out for the rest of the summer and is already a major doubt for the opening Ashes Test in Perth on November 21.
With the final delivery of the 83rd over, Prasidh Krishna bowled England's No. 10 Josh Tongue, saving Woakes from facing a ball and allowing Atkinson to keep the strike. Woakes was clearly uncomfortable, though, as he grimaced after each run and asked umpire Ahsan Raza for assistance when his sling came loose during a bye.
Woakes would have been replaced immediately following his injury on Thursday night in most other sports, but cricket is different. On Saturday, instead, he remained in the dressing room and observed England's three-man attack in action. He went to the indoor school for a practice batting session on Sunday afternoon as the chase continued.
Woakes had a throwdown session before walking out to bat on final day
Woakes initially tried to hold the bat normally while facing a few throwdowns, but as the tempo increased, the pain became unbearable. He then adopted a left-hander's stance and began batting with his left arm back in a sling. In addition to providing him with control over his 'top' hand, this helped him keep his injured shoulder as far away from the ball as possible.
On Monday, Woakes required help from England physio Ben Davies to get padded up and had to improvise with his gear. He wore two small arm guards on his right arm and added as much protection as possible to his left, which was tucked under a jumper to keep it stable.
Mohammed Siraj became furious when Woakes fought his way through for a bye at the end of his opening over at the crease. 'Nahin bola tu?' After landing his wide yorker and watching Dhruv Jurel's underarm throw miss the stumps, he asked Shubman Gill, 'Didn't you tell him?' Woakes, however, had bigger concerns, grimacing in pain and holding his left arm.
Woakes managed to take off his helmet to put his left arm back in place. He asked Raza for help after realising that he won't be able to put his glove back on alone. As Woakes took a deep breath and prepared himself to stand at the non-striker's end once more, the packed fifth-day crowd began to grasp the full extent of what he was enduring.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘I was never the villain, I was made into one': Oval pitch curator who irked Gautam Gambhir after epic India vs England encounter
India came back from a seemingly hopeless situation to win the Oval Test and draw the five-match series against England 2-2. It marked the end of a series that was filled with incidents. While most of it happened on the field, India head coach Gautam Gambhir's argument with Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis before the start of the fifth Test was easily the most prominent off-field flare-up over the course of the series. Gambhir firing angry words at Fortis is what went viral first and the Indian head coach received some criticism for his choice of words to describe the latter's profession. However, details later emerged about what it is that irked Gambhir so much and that led to Fortis being accused of favouring England at best and having a colonial mindset towards the Indians at worst. The track that Fortis and his ground staff prepared, and maintained admirably in a Test that was frequently interrupted by rain, coughed up a thriller, though, with India winning it by just six runs – their lowest margin of victory by runs in Test cricket. 'Well, I was never the villain, I was made into one,' Fortis is quoted as saying by PTI. 'Hope you guys enjoyed the show and the atmosphere was like the IPL. It was a great game.' Indian head coaches Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak were asked by Fortis, through a messenger, to stay 2.5 metres away from the playing surface. He also shouted at the Indian support staff to not take a 'cooler' to the ground. Batting coach Kotak, who was close to the action and played the pacifier when an animated Gambhir was talking to Fortis, gave details about the net session altercation. 'When we went to see the pitch, we were asked by someone to keep a 2.5-metre distance. This was surprising. The Test would be in a few days and we were wearing joggers. So it felt a bit odd. We all have been on the ground enough, we have played so much cricket. Curators are possessive about the ground and the square but they need to understand that they are speaking to highly skilled and intelligent people.' Kotak said.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Will you stand up and greet Gautam Gambhir now? Sidhu slams India coach's critics
Former cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has hit back at critics of Gautam Gambhir, asking whether they would now "stand up and greet" the India head coach after the team's gutsy 2-2 draw in the recently concluded Test series in a strong-worded response on his YouTube channel, Sidhu praised Gambhir's conviction and belief in the team during a high-pressure tour that came in the immediate aftermath of the Test retirements of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit do a lot of hero-worshipping. I want to say that whenever India plays even a little badly, anyone and everyone climbs on Gautam Gambhir and blames him. Will you stand up and greet him today?" Sidhu said, addressing those who had doubted Gambhir's credentials and leadership. India, under Gambhir's guidance, produced a stirring performance to hold England to a 2-2 draw, culminating in a memorable victory at The Oval. The result, earned after five fiercely-contested Tests, was seen as a reflection of India's evolving Test core and a triumph for the team's youth-led credited Gambhir for backing players like Akash Deep and Washington Sundar and for initiating a transition phase that many were sceptical about at the time. While there was criticism over not picking wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Sidhu applauded Gambhir for standing by his decisions."It was Gautam Gambhir who insisted on this transition, who gave opportunities to guys like Akash Deep and Washington. Yes, Kuldeep was maybe a better option. But he had conviction. There will be scope for improvement today and tomorrow as well. But for someone who has been questioned and criticised so much, today give him the due that he deserves," he the boldness of the selections and the belief shown in young talent, Sidhu said Gambhir's philosophy has borne fruit. "There were many unknowns when the team went who had not made their name. Gambhir had said three to four big names are missing from the team but think of it as an opportunity for others to establish themselves. His words have proven to be true."Drawing parallels with famous overseas victories, Sidhu added, "Be it Brisbane, Perth, or England, history has been scripted by youngsters and it is a big thing."Gambhir had come into the series under pressure following a disappointing home whitewash at the hands of New Zealand and a tough tour of Australia. But with a renewed focus on long-term vision and youth, the team's resilience in England has sparked renewed confidence.- EndsYou May Also Like
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Sidhu Attacks Gambhir's Critics After IND Vs ENG: 'Will You Stand Up And...'
Last Updated: Navjot Singh Sidhu praised coach Gautam Gambhir for his steadfastness during India's tough England tour, leading to a 2-2 draw. Sidhu urged critics to recognise Gambhir's success. Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday praised current head coach Gautam Gambhir for his steadfastness during the challenging England tour and questioned his critics if they would now acknowledge him for the 2-2 draw in the UK. India, who embarked on the tour shortly after the retirements of Test stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, played remarkable cricket across five fiercely contested Test matches to secure a commendable draw against England on their home turf. Reflecting on the result, achieved through a splendid victory in the series decider at the Oval, Sidhu noted that Gambhir also deserves recognition for the team's success. 'We do a lot of hero-worshipping. I want to say that whenever India plays even a little badly, anyone and everyone climbs on Gautam Gambhir and blames him. Will you stand up and greet him today?" Sidhu qas quoted as saying on his YouTube channel. Sidhu suggested that trying out wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav might have been beneficial but credited Gambhir for persisting with his approach despite criticism and for giving opportunities to younger players. 'It was Gautam Gambhir who insisted on this transition, who gave opportunities to guys like Akash Deep and Washington. Yes, Kuldeep was maybe a better option. But he had conviction. There will be scope for improvement today and tomorrow as well. But for someone who has been questioned and criticised so much, today give him the due that he deserves." Sidhu added: 'There were many unknowns when the team went who had not made their name. Gambhir had told three to four big names are missing from the team but think of it as an opportunity for others to establish themselves. 'His words have proven to be true. Be it Brisbane, Perth, or England, history has been scripted by youngsters and it is a big thing." Gambhir entered the England series under pressure following an unprecedented Test series whitewash at home to New Zealand and setbacks in Australia. Sidhu recalled how Gambhir had encouraged the youngsters before the tour to see it as a major opportunity to make a mark. (With inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
