Wounded Woakes' Ashes availability unclear
Woakes dislocated his shoulder early in the fifth Test at the Oval but courageously walked to the crease with his arm in a sling on day five.
He didn't face a ball but was prepared to counter the Mohammed Siraj-inspired Indian attack left handed.
Despite struggling in Australia – averaging 51 with the ball Down Under – Woakes would still be one of England's first-choice quicks for the upcoming Ashes.
England captain Ben Stokes said Woakes was yet to see a specialist as he remained intent on seeing out the fifth Test.
But that specialist would decide whether the 36-year-old pushed a case for the first Test in November at Perth Stadium.
'You obviously don't get that chance (to see a specialist) with a game going on, so that (availability for the Ashes) won't be known until later,' Stokes said.
Woakes did not bat in the first innings but walked to the middle when England needed 17 to win the Test match.
He followed the courageous efforts of Graeme Smith, Nathan Lyon, Dean Jones and Rick McCosker who have all batted under extreme duress.
Stokes said he had no doubt Woakes would bat if required and claimed it emblematic of the unrelenting series.
'Unbelievable, but it was never going to be a question for him to be out there, he was in a lot of discomfort running between the wickets there,' Stokes said.
'We've had guys go out, Rishabh (Pant) going out and batting with a broken foot, Bash (Bashir) bowling and fielding with a broken finger.
'Then Chris going out there today trying to get the team over the line with a recently dislocated shoulder.
'It just goes back to how much energy and effort has been put into the series by both teams, everyone has left a lot out on the grounds for their country this series.
'I didn't give him a chance to give him a tap on the back and say, 'Go well', but coming off there it was pretty obvious what was said.
'(I said) 'Good effort' and unbelievable, he just shrugged his shoulder and said, 'I wouldn't do anything else'.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
England's Chris Woakes may opt for rehab in race to face Australia in Ashes
England all-rounder Chris Woakes says rehabilitation is a risk he is willing to take to be fit for the men's Ashes, rather than undergoing surgery on the shoulder injury he sustained during last week's fifth Test against India. Woakes, 36, is awaiting scan results after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder on the opening day of the series finale at The Oval when he landed awkwardly trying to save a boundary. His options would be either surgery or rehabilitation to strengthen the shoulder, judging by the extent of the damage. The first Ashes Test begins in Perth on November 21. "I suppose … there will be a chance of a recurrence, but that could be a risk that you're just willing to take," Woakes told the BBC. "From what I've heard from physios and specialists, the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to three to four months. "That's obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia, so it makes it tricky. "From a rehab point of view, you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. "So that could be an option, but again, obviously, still waiting to get the full report on it." Woakes returned to bat on the final morning of the fifth Test with his left arm strapped in a sling as England pushed for a series win. Entering at number 11 with 17 runs still needed, he did not face a ball but ran four before Gus Atkinson (17) was bowled, leaving India to seal a six-run victory that levelled the series at 2–2. Woakes received praise for his bravery, although he downplayed his effort by saying his teammates would have done the same. "In my eyes it was just business as usual … in that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line," he said. "Unfortunately, it didn't happen but I'm grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team." Reuters
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Injured England star hasn't given up on Ashes dream
England bowler Chris Woakes has not given up on his Ashes hopes after he revealed rehabilitation rather than surgery on his dislocated shoulder is being considered. Woakes produced an astonishing display of bravery in England's six-run loss to India in the fifth Test earlier this week when he decided to bat at No.11 with his arm in a sling after dislocating his left shoulder on the first day of the match. The 36-year-old has had a scan on his shoulder and while still waiting to receive the results, he's hopeful an eight-week period of rehabilitation could be enough to ensure he features in the Ashes, which get under way on November 21. "I'm waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible," Woakes told BBC Sport. "Naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you're just willing to take. "What I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months, or three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes, so it makes it tricky. "From a rehab point of view you can probably get it get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again I'm obviously still waiting to get the full report on it." Woakes is the most experienced member of England's bowling unit after the retirement of Stuart Broad two summers ago and the decision to move on from record-wicket taker James Anderson in 2024.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Injured England star hasn't given up on Ashes dream
England bowler Chris Woakes has not given up on his Ashes hopes after he revealed rehabilitation rather than surgery on his dislocated shoulder is being considered. Woakes produced an astonishing display of bravery in England's six-run loss to India in the fifth Test earlier this week when he decided to bat at No.11 with his arm in a sling after dislocating his left shoulder on the first day of the match. The 36-year-old has had a scan on his shoulder and while still waiting to receive the results, he's hopeful an eight-week period of rehabilitation could be enough to ensure he features in the Ashes, which get under way on November 21. "I'm waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible," Woakes told BBC Sport. "Naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you're just willing to take. "What I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months, or three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes, so it makes it tricky. "From a rehab point of view you can probably get it get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again I'm obviously still waiting to get the full report on it." Woakes is the most experienced member of England's bowling unit after the retirement of Stuart Broad two summers ago and the decision to move on from record-wicket taker James Anderson in 2024.
