Chris Woakes.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
“Whenever there’s a Test squad announcement, you’re always desperate to be in it. But at the same time, at my age, with my away record — particularly in the subcontinent — I feel like it’s a fair decision,” he added.
Bridgetown Pacer Chris Woakes conceded that England took a fair name by leaving him out of the Test series against India given his file within the sub-continent.
The 34-year-old was not included in England’s 16-member squad for the five-match Test series, ranging from January 25 in Hyderabad and Woakes stated he was comfy with the choice. “It’s mixed emotions,” Woakes stated.
“Whenever there’s a Test squad announcement, you’re always desperate to be in it. But at the same time, at my age, with my away record — particularly in the subcontinent — I feel like it’s a fair decision,” he added.
Woakes has finished properly in house circumstances, boasting of a bowling common of 21.88 however it balloons to 51.88 abroad. In the three Tests in India in 2016, Woakes managed solely three wickets at a price of 81.3.
“We had conversations about where my best cricket is likely to be played moving forward and naturally in Test cricket, it looks likely to be at home.”
“It doesn’t mean to say that when there’s not sub-continent tours that I won’t be available. But I feel at ease with the decision, if that makes sense. The communication was good, I know where I stand so it’s fine by me.” The final time Woakes performed an away Test series, it did not go so properly. In the absence of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Woakes had been promoted to the position of an opener. But he might handle solely 5 scalps in three Tests at a median of 48.80.
“I tried to bowl my heart out and really struggled with my body. My knee was sore at the time, I ended up having surgery after that and I missed six months of cricket.” Woakes feels lacking the tour of India might assist lengthen his profession.
“I wouldn’t want that to be the same case going to India, bowling on tracks which are unresponsive to my type of bowling; slamming the front knee down at 34 is not really ideal when I want to play a lot of white-ball cricket moving forward,” he stated.
“It’s different when that’s just your sole focus but when you want to play all forms, it makes it a wise decision.”
Vaughan suprised by Woakes omission. Former England skipper Michal Vaughan believes the all-rounder deserved to be a part of the squad. “It tells you England think he can’t bowl in India, it’s as simple as that. I’m staggered by it really,” Vaughan told foxsports.com.au.
“That you’ve got obtained a participant that got here into the Ashes with Mark Wood and so they have been 2-0 down against Australia in three Test matches. To assume a few months later (he is left out), his all-round capability, he bats properly, fields properly and I suppose they simply really feel he has been in these circumstances earlier than up to now and he’s not going to have an effect.
Woakes had performed a important position as England fought again from 0-2 to attract the Ashes 2-2 earlier this yr. The pacer was adjudged the participant of the series throughout the Ashes earlier this yr.
“They are clearly considering it’s going to be a five-match series the place spin goes to play a distinguished half. I feel England are considering they’re in all probability solely going to play two seam bowlers and with that Woakes will not be the form of seamer they will require in Indian circumstances.
But it nonetheless does shock me you’ve obtained a participant who was man of the series within the Ashes against one of the best workforce on this planet which can be Australia and a few months down the road he doesn’t even warrant a place within the squad.
“Even if it’s just two Test matches, holding an end and bowling dots, maybe getting some reverse swing and then offering a little with the bat. It does surprise me,” he added.
