England Likely to Be Without Chris Woakes for Rest of Decisive Oval Test

England Likely to Be Without Chris Woakes for Rest of Decisive Oval Test

England suffered a major blow on Day 1 of the Fifth Test at The Oval as veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes appeared to dislocate his left shoulder while diving to stop a boundary. Fellow seamer Gus Atkinson confirmed “it doesn’t look great” and expressed surprise if Woakes returned to bowl. Woakes had bowled the full series and is England’s only player to feature in all five Tests.

Injury Details & Field Incident

While chasing a drive deep in the outfield during the 57th over, Woakes slipped and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder. He immediately clutched his arm and walked off in visible pain, using his sweater as a makeshift sling. He was taken for scans after play.

Woakes’ Status & Comments

Gus Atkinson, who impressed with 2 for 31 and a run-out of Shubman Gill, acknowledged Woakes’ condition with concern: “It doesn’t look great. I will be surprised if he takes any part in the game.” Atkinson—making his Test comeback—confirmed he’s ready to shoulder a larger workload.

Impact on England’s Bowling Attack

If Woakes is ruled out, England will rely on Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton—none of whom have played regularly this series. With Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer already rested or injured, England face a fatigued seam unit. Atkinson may be asked to bowl significantly more overs.

India’s Gesture of Sportsmanship

In a touching moment, India’s Karun Nair refrained from taking an extra run after witnessing Woakes’ injury during a delivery drive. He stopped Washington Sundar mid-run, earning praise for exemplifying the spirit of the game.

Summary Table

Aspect	Detail
Player	Chris Woakes
Injury	Likely dislocated left shoulder
Prognosis	Unlikely to bowl again in the match
England bowlers available	Atkinson, Tongue, Overton
Impact	Thin seam attack, fatigue concerns

FAQs

Is Chris Woakes expected to miss the rest of the Oval Test?

Yes. England team management and Gus Atkinson have indicated it doesn’t look good, and Woakes is unlikely to bowl again in the match.

How did Woakes get injured?

Woakes dislocated his left shoulder diving to save a boundary, then walked off clutching his arm in pain.

What are the implications if Woakes is ruled out?

England’s seam attack will rely heavily on Atkinson, Tongue and Overton amidst fatigue and lack of experience under pressure.

---

Disclaimer: This article is based on information compiled from online sources. Please verify independently before making any decisions based on it.

Thank you for visiting Cricket In Focus! Explore more in our Test, India, and Latest Cricket Updates sections.