Chris Woakes strode to the crease batting one-handed on the last day of the fifth Test at The Oval, receiving a standing ovation from a full crowd. The England all-rounder dislocated his shoulder while attempting to save a boundary on Day 1 and spent the following days with his left arm in a sling, raising concerns about his ability to bat.
Yet, when England faced a challenging run chase, Woakes took the bold decision to intervene. With his left arm secured inside his jumper and obviously unable to move, he took his position using solely his right hand.
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His resolve was clear, and his arrival at the crease turned into one of the most memorable moments of the series. The audience at the Oval, acknowledging the incredible determination it required to step out in such circumstances, stood up in a thunderous cheer.
Cricket’s Rich History of Such Heroic Moments
Instances of bravery in tough situations have become integral to the essence of Test cricket. In the 2009 Sydney Test, Graeme Smith of South Africa came out at No.11 with a fractured hand, overcoming intense pain and facing Australia’s unyielding pace bowlers. He confronted 17 high-pressure deliveries in a final attempt to salvage the game, coming up only 10 balls shy of achieving a remarkable comeback
