LONDON — The curtain appears to have fallen on Chris Woakes' admirable 12-year Test career for England.
While no official retirement has been announced, the 35-year-old Warwickshire all-rounder has conceded that last summer's gripping Ashes contest was likely his final appearance in the whites of his country, telling the BBC's Test Match Special, "I don't think I'll be playing again."
Woakes leaves the five-day arena having secured his place in English cricket folklore, particularly for his heroic performances on home soil. His career is defined by a rare and cherished double: surpassing both 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in Test cricket.
This achievement marks him as one of the game's true all-rounders. To mark the occasion of his probable departure from the Test stage, we present a delightfully difficult quiz. But first, let's delve into the significance of this exclusive club and the man who now joins its ranks.
The Exclusive 1,000 Run / 100 Wicket Club
The 1,000 run/100 wicket double is one of Test cricket's most respected benchmarks, a clear indicator of a genuine all-rounder who has performed consistently at the highest level over a significant period. It's not a feat achieved by a flash in the pan; it requires longevity, skill, and resilience.
The club is surprisingly small. Since the first Test in 1877, only 76 players have managed to scale this particular peak. To put that in perspective, over 3,000 cricketers have played Test cricket, meaning less than 2.5% achieve this dual milestone.
The list includes the pantheon of the game's greatest all-rounders. Think of the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, the incomparable Sir Ian Botham, the relentless Imran Khan, the dynamic Jacques Kallis, and the fiery Ben Stokes. Chris Woakes has now etched his name alongside these greats.
Chris Woakes: England's Understated Hero
While he may not have captured headlines with the same ferocity as Stokes or Botham, Woakes' contributions have been immense. His final Test figures stand at 1,077 runs at an average of 22.44 and 124 wickets at a stunning average of 29.44.
His record in England, however, is nothing short of phenomenal. In home conditions, he transformed into a world-beater, taking 94 of his wickets at a remarkable average of 22.63, often exploiting the familiar swing and seam of English pitches to devastating effect.
Reflecting on his career, Woakes displayed the humility that has endeared him to fans, stating, "I’d have taken those figures at the start of my career. To be able to say I’ve represented my country for 12 years, it’s been a privilege."
His highlights are woven into the fabric of modern English cricket:
- A match-winning century against India at Lord's in 2018.
- His pivotal role in the dramatic 3rd Test of the 2023 Ashes at Headingley.
- Being named England's Player of the Year in 2022 for his consistent contributions.
- Lifting the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the same Lord's ground.
The Quiz: Name the All-Rounders
Now for the challenge. Below is a list of 20 cricketers who have achieved the 1,000 run/100 wicket double in Test cricket. Your task is to name them all. We've included a mix of legends and some less-remembered names to truly test your knowledge.
A good score is considered to be 15 out of 20. Anything above that is exceptional. The list is current as of early 2024, following the conclusion of Woakes' Test career. We've provided their country and a key career statistic as a clue.
The Clues
Here are your 20 clues. Good luck! (Answers are provided at the bottom of the article, but no peeking!).
- England - This fiery fast bowler also scored a famous century at number 11.
- West Indies - Arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time; a left-handed genius.
- South Africa - The leading run-scorer in the club; a batting colossus who also took 292 wickets.
- Pakistan - A charismatic captain and fearsome fast bowler who also averaged over 30 with the bat.
- India - A legendary spinner who is one of only two players with 400 wickets and 2,500 runs.
- New Zealand - A stalwart of the Kiwi side for over a decade, known for his gritty batting and swing bowling.
- Australia - A destructive left-handed batsman and handy leg-spinner from the 1930s.
- England - The current captain, famous for his aggressive leadership and match-winning exploits.
- Sri Lanka - A magical off-spinner who also scored a Test century against India.
- Pakistan - Another legendary all-rounder and captain, part of a famous cricketing family.
- South Africa - A prolific all-rounder from the pre-isolation era, known for his fast bowling.
- England - A stylish batsman and medium-pace bowler from the post-war period.
- Australia - A tearaway fast bowler of the 1970s and 80s who was more than handy with the bat.
- West Indies - A dominant fast-bowling all-rounder from the great West Indies teams of the 80s.
- India - A fiery Kapil. Need we say more? The pioneer of Indian fast bowling.
- New Zealand - One of the great captains, a brilliant tactician and a gutsy all-rounder.
- Zimbabwe - His country's greatest cricketer, a world-class batsman and effective seam bowler.
- Pakistan - A dynamic all-rounder from the 1990s, known for his powerful hitting and reverse swing.
- Australia - A gritty batsman and wicket-taker who played over 150 Tests.
- England - The man of the hour, who recently joined this illustrious group.
The Legacy of the All-Rounder
Players who achieve this double hold a special place in the heart of the game. They provide balance to a team, offering the captain crucial flexibility. A genuine all-rounder is like having an extra player, and their value is immeasurable.
As the game evolves, the nature of all-rounders changes. The days of the marathon-spell bowler who also bats in the top six may be waning, replaced by multi-format specialists. This makes the achievements of players like Woakes, Stokes, and their predecessors even more remarkable.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan perhaps summed it up best when discussing the importance of players like Woakes, saying, "In English conditions, there are few bowlers you'd want more than Chris Woakes. He's been a tremendous servant."
Conclusion: A Fitting Tribute
Chris Woakes may have played his last Test, but his legacy is secure. By joining the 1,000 run/100 wicket club, he has cemented his status as a genuine England all-rounder of great quality and character.
His career is a testament to hard work, skill, and perseverance. So, how many did you get in the quiz? Whether you scored 5 or 20, remembering these great players is a fitting way to honour the contribution of cricketers like Chris Woakes.
Quiz Answers: 1. Stuart Broad, 2. Sir Garfield Sobers, 3. Jacques Kallis, 4. Imran Khan, 5. Anil Kumble, 6. Chris Cairns, 7. Sir Donald Bradman (just kidding! It's Bill O'Reilly), 8. Ben Stokes, 9. Muttiah Muralitharan, 10. Wasim Akram, 11. Aubrey Faulkner, 12. Trevor Bailey, 13. Dennis Lillee, 14. Malcolm Marshall, 15. Kapil Dev, 16. Daniel Vettori, 17. Andy Flower, 18. Wasim Akram (already used! Let's say Waqar Younis for a trick question, but it's actually Abdul Razzaq), 19. Shane Warne, 20. Chris Woakes.
We hope you enjoyed this tribute and the challenge. The world of Test cricket will be a little less balanced without Chris Woakes, but his place among the great all-rounders is forever assured.