Chris Woakes, despite his Ashes heroics, expressed mixed feelings after being excluded from England’s Test squad for the upcoming India tour, acknowledging it as a fair decision.
Despite Chris Woakes’ pivotal role in England’s Ashes comeback, securing the player-of-the-series award with 19 wickets in three Tests, he faced omission from England’s 16-man squad for the upcoming India Test tour, evoking mixed emotions. Woakes acknowledged his age and overseas performance, especially in subcontinental conditions, as a factor in the fair decision. His away Test record shows 36 wickets from 20 matches at a higher average of 51.88, contrasting with his formidable record of 149 wickets from 48 Tests in England, boasting an average of 29.13.
“It’s mixed emotions. Whenever there’s a Test squad announcement, you’re always desperate to be in it but at the same time, at my age, with my away record – particularly in the subcontinent – I feel like it’s a fair decision,” Woakes was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“We had conversations about where my best cricket is likely to be played moving forward and naturally in Test cricket, it looks likely to be at home. Of course, you want to perform in all conditions. It’s something which I’ve tried for a long period of time. There was a period where my away form actually got a bit better, but that was playing in New Zealand, South Africa, where generally seamers go a little bit better,” he added.
At 34, Woakes acknowledged the challenge of replicating his home form in away Tests, citing a disparity, particularly with the red ball compared to white-ball cricket. While excelling in white-ball games away from home, he finds it more challenging with the red ball in overseas conditions.
During England’s India Test series, Woakes will be playing for Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, coinciding with the tour starting on January 25.
Last Updated on December 12, 2023
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