Chris Woakes, the England bowler, has been praised for his bravery in batting in the fifth and final Test against India at the Oval. Despite England’s 6-run loss, which means the series is tied 2-2, Woakes’ decision to bat resonated with fans and teammates.
On the penultimate day of the Test, Woakes dislocated his shoulder while fielding. Yet he walked out to bat as the last man in and Mohammed Siraj got the final wicket to end England’s chase.
Woakes said he couldn’t win the game for his team, which would have meant winning the series. But the crowd gave him a standing ovation for stepping out to bat with his arm in a sling.
Woakes told The Guardian his hand slipped as he landed and put his full body weight on his shoulder. He heard a pop and knew he was in trouble. The pain was intense and his arm went limp.
Woakes and fellow seamer Gus Atkinson managed to reduce the deficit by 10 runs. Unfortunately for Woakes, Mohammed Siraj bowled him with a yorker to secure a 6-run win for India.
Woakes was disappointed not to have got a fairytale ending. But he never considered not batting even if the runs needed were 100.
In their 10th wicket partnership, Atkinson took the strike so Woakes didn’t have to face a ball. If needed, his plan was to bat left-handed using only his right arm.
Woakes said they quickly worked out that batting left-handed would protect his shoulder. At least he could block with his top hand in control. It seemed the only way to survive.
England are preparing for the Ashes in Australia with the first Test starting on November 21 in Perth. Woakes will see a specialist to determine his involvement in the series.
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Woakes’ bravery has been compared to other instances of cricketers playing through injuries. Nathan Lyon, the Australian spinner, batted in the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord’s with a torn calf. Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper, also played with an injury at Old Trafford. Malcolm Marshall batted one-handed with a broken thumb in the 1984 Headingley Test against England so Larry Gomes could get a hundred. Graeme Smith batted with a broken hand in the 2009 New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney.
Saleem Malik of Pakistan batted left-handed after breaking his arm in the 1986 Faisalabad Test against the West Indies.
