IND vs ENG: Chris Woakes Not to Bowl Again in Fifth Test vs India – Major Blow for England

England’s hopes in the final Test against India at The Oval have taken a serious hit after star all-rounder Chris Woakes suffered a shoulder injury late on Day 1.

What started as a promising day for the hosts turned worrisome when Woakes went down in pain while trying to save a boundary, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the match.

Woakes Suffers Gruesome Shoulder Injury

The incident occurred during the final session of play when Karun Nair drove a full delivery from Jamie Overton down the ground.

Woakes gave it a spirited chase and successfully kept the ball from crossing the ropes. However, in the process, he landed awkwardly on his shoulder and immediately grabbed it in pain.

Medical staff rushed to the scene, and Woakes was soon taken off the field. Liam Dawson came on as a substitute fielder. Early signs suggest a possible dislocation, as Woakes was seen in visible discomfort while leaving the field.

As of now, his chances of bowling in the remaining days of the match look bleak, leaving England’s pace attack significantly weakened.

England’s Bowling Attack Under Pressure

If Woakes is ruled out from bowling, England will have to rely heavily on the trio of Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue. With the Test series on the line, and England currently lead 2-1, missing a senior figure like Woakes could prove costly on a pitch that is expected to offer help to pacers.

Woakes’ Poor Form This Series

Even before the injury, Woakes had not enjoyed the best of form in this series. With the ball, he has picked up just 10 wickets at an average of 52, far from his usual standards.

His pace has dropped, and his control over line and length has looked off.

With the bat, he has managed only 64 runs across the series, averaging just 10.67. Despite being one of the few players to feature in all five matches, the veteran has struggled to make an impact.