Chris Woakes has been ruled out of this winter’s Ashes after dislocating his left shoulder while fielding in the fifth Rothesay Test between England and India on Thursday.
The 36-year-old was hurt after chasing a Karun Nair drive to the long-off boundary, flicking the ball away from the rope to stop the four, but jarring the joint as he broke his fall with his left hand.
Mail Sport understands that following medical assessment of the injury post play, the damage is more extensive than first feared.
In a cruel blow, it is estimated he will be sidelined for up to six months, ruling out his selection in the five-Test series in Australia, starting on November 21 in Perth.
The selection of Woakes in England’s squad has been a long-standing debate, given his underwhelming record in overseas Tests, but he appeared to have won over the management on that front and has been an ever present in this ongoing series against the Indians.
An ECB statement said that the Warwickshire seamer ‘will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder’ of this match, but with his chances of one final swansong down under against the Australians now scuppered, he will not return to the field until 2026.
Woakes’ injury was a blow to an already-depleted England’s chances of transforming a 2-1 lead over Shubman Gill’s side into a series win.
He immediately clutched his shoulder in agony and received treatment from physio Ben Davies, who he left the field alongside.
‘It doesn’t look great,’ admitted England’s other opening bowler, Gus Atkinson, whose five wickets wrapped up India’s innings for 224 on the second morning.
Woakes has an underwhelming record of 44 Test wickets at 48.93 away from home, and his 16 victims in Ashes encounters down under have been even more costly, at 51.68 runs apiece.
England have also prioritised pace in their identification of what is needed to replicate the 2010-11 triumph of Andrew Strauss’ team, casting doubt on whether he would make the big winter tour.
However, he would have been a strong contender to feature in the pink ball Test in Brisbane, the second of the series, from December 4-8.
Traditionalists will question whether a seam bowler should have been hurling himself full length for the sake of saving one run, but such commitment to fielding is part of England’s mantra under coach Brendon McCullum.
Unfortunately, it has cost a player just eight wickets short of becoming the 18th Englishman to 200, one final career shot at the Aussies.
