Chris Woakes is back—and not just as another name on the team sheet, but as the heartbeat of England’s Test bowling attack. With 1,970 runs and 181 wickets, he’s on the verge of becoming just the sixth Englishman to complete the rare 2,000 runs/200 wickets double in Test cricket. And yet, it feels like Woakes is only now getting the respect his career deserves.
Two years ago, England were 2-0 down in the Ashes, the Stokes-McCullum project was teetering, and the pressure was suffocating. Enter Chris Woakes. Calm, reliable, and sharp, he delivered match-turning spells at Headingley and The Oval, sealing a 2-2 draw and walking away as Player of the Series despite playing only three matches. Without him, it’s fair to ask: would this version of England’s Test team even exist?
Now 36, Woakes walks into the first Test against India at Headingley as the oldest member of the squad—and possibly the most important. With England’s pace stocks suffering injuries and inconsistencies, Woakes is expected to open the bowling and anchor a side that thrives on aggressive, fearless cricket but needs stability to succeed.
Still modest as ever, Woakes shuns the idea of being England’s “attack leader.” He prefers “senior bowler,” and even then, he shares responsibility. Whether it’s letting a rookie like Gus Atkinson choose the end or asking advice from James Anderson post-retirement, Woakes remains the ultimate team man. Yet with Sam Cook failing to impress recently and few other dependable options emerging, Woakes may have no choice but to lead.
He’s overcome a lot to stay in this position. After missing the birth of the Bazball era due to knee surgery, Woakes feared his red-ball days were over. But since returning, he’s taken 51 wickets in 12 Tests at an outstanding average of 21.88—a number only bettered by Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Kagiso Rabada in that period. In short, he’s been elite.
And the numbers tell a story of quiet dominance. His home average is a jaw-dropping 21.88, though his overseas form has been less stellar at nearly 49. But don’t be fooled—England won all three of the overseas Tests he played this past winter and lost the three he didn’t.
Woakes’ story is also one of timing. Just as England needed a steadying force, he was ready—again. And now, as the only man left in the dressing room with a foot in both the Andy Flower era and the Bazball generation, Woakes offers a rare dual perspective. He remembers the harsh discipline of the Flower-Pietersen era, and now thrives in the freer, more joyful culture fostered by Stokes and McCullum.
“What Brendon and Stokesy want is for guys to remember their time playing for England as the best days of their life,” he reflects. “Flip reverse to that team, I don’t know how many of them would say they had the time of their lives doing it.”
Beyond cricket, Woakes is still the all-rounder off the pitch too—an avid footballer in his younger days and a snooker enthusiast who can pot breaks of 70-plus. But he knows his limits. Unlike Anderson, who played into his 40s, Woakes admits he may only have “another summer or two” left.
“I’m more motivated than ever,” he says. “But I don’t see myself hobbling out of bed at 40.”
Perhaps that’s exactly why his return means more now than ever. In a team full of expressive talent and sky-high ambitions, England still needs a rock—someone who doesn’t crave the spotlight, but delivers when it matters most. Chris Woakes is that man.
And as the Indian batsmen line up at Headingley, they’ll discover—like so many before them—that underestimating Chris Woakes is England’s most underrated weapon.
Written By Joe Brens
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news.
Find Out How To Make Money As A Full-Time Writer/Blogger Guide.
Sports Money: Become A Sports Blogger & Content Creator And Start Earning Today!
To Advertise or Publish A Press Release, send a mail to info.followglobaltrends@gmail.com
Related Articles
It’s Official: Babar Azam Joins Sydney Sixers – What This Means for the Big Bash League
Electronic Line Calling: Revolutionizing the Accuracy of Sports Decisions
3 Dead In Stampede Outside Chinnaswamy Stadium During RCB Victory Parade In Bengaluru
