London:
England pacer Chris Woakes has made a stunning revelation about the extent of his injury during the thrilling final day of the fifth Test match against India at The Oval. In a candid interview with The Guardian, Woakes disclosed that he batted with a dislocated shoulder, having sustained the injury on Day 1 of the match.
Despite not participating in the match for four days following the injury, Woakes showcased immense courage and determination by walking out to bat during England’s final-wicket stand on Day 5, with the hosts needing 35 runs to win.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes says he never considered not going out to bat with a dislocated shoulder against India on the final day of the fifth Test, even as he feared for his career.
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A Gritty Return Despite Pain
Although Woakes did not face a single delivery, he ran between the wickets with last man Gus Atkinson, his left arm strapped in a sling and clearly in visible discomfort. The England fast bowler admitted the decision to come out and bat was never in doubt, despite the severity of the injury.
“I’m still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn’t get the fairytale,” Woakes said.
“But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win. It was nice to have the ovation and some of the Indian players came over to show their respect. But any other player would have done the same. You couldn’t just call it off at nine wickets down.”
Woakes’ brave effort came as India held on to win the match by just 6 runs, sealing a dramatic end to the series.
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Running Through the Pain
Even though he didn’t have to face the Indian bowlers, running between the wickets was a major challenge for Woakes. Recalling those painful moments, he said the first run he attempted was the worst, as the pain surged through his shoulder despite having taken painkillers. “The first one was the worst,” Woakes revealed.
“All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do. I genuinely worried my shoulder had popped back out again, hence you saw me throw my helmet off, rip the glove off with my teeth, and check it was OK.”
His brave effort was widely appreciated by fans and players alike, including members of the Indian team who applauded Woakes’ sportsmanship and fighting spirit.
Chris Woakes’ revelation adds a new layer of heroism to the nail-biting final day of the England vs India Test series. While England fell agonizingly short, Woakes’ grit and commitment to his team, despite a serious injury, will be remembered as one of the most courageous moments in recent Test history.
