Not long ago, Chris Woakes played a crucial role in England drawing the 2023 Ashes at home, contributing significantly after the team lost the first two Tests. In the three Tests he participated in, the right-arm pacer secured 19 wickets at an impressive average of 18.15, earning him the player-of-the-series accolade as England leveled the series 2-2.
However, in the present scenario, Woakes is not part of England’s current touring squad in India for a five-match Test series, where they surprisingly lead 1-0. Given the typical expectation of spinners influencing outcomes on Indian pitches, England’s emphasis on their spin bowlers, despite their limited international experience, is understandable. In the Hyderabad Test, Mark Wood stood as the lone specialist fast bowler in England’s XI, delivering 25 wicketless overs. Meanwhile, debutant spinner Tom Hartley claimed a remarkable seven-for in India’s second innings, earning the player-of-the-match award. Chris Woakes expresses his desire to be a part of the Test series in India, but at the age of 34, he acknowledges that his bowling in red-ball cricket is better suited to home conditions than away Tests. While his England teammates aim to triumph over India in their own territory, Woakes, currently playing for the Sharjah Warriors in the ongoing International League T20 over 2,500 kilometers away in the Middle East, sees this as an opportunity to strengthen his case for inclusion in England’s squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June this year.No, not exactly. My bowling style is well-suited for red-ball cricket in home conditions. I excel as a bowler with the Dukes ball, having used it since a young age, which makes me feel comfortable with it. On the contrary, when playing away from home with the Kookaburra ball, I find it more challenging. I generally don’t achieve as much movement with that ball, and I believe that’s been the primary issue, to be honest.
