LONDON — England all-rounder Chris Woakes revealed he "never considered" not batting during the dramatic final day of the fifth Test against India at Edgbaston, despite nursing a knee injury that left him visibly struggling. Woakes, who played a crucial role in England’s record-breaking chase of 378, said he "wouldn’t have been able to live with himself" had he not contributed with the bat.
The match, part of the rescheduled 2021 series, saw England complete their highest-ever successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket, thanks to centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. However, Woakes’ gritty 32* off 42 balls—despite limping between the wickets—proved equally vital in securing a seven-wicket victory. His partnership with Bairstow (114*) steadied England after a brief wobble at 269-3.
The Injury Struggle
Woakes had been managing a lingering knee issue throughout the Test, which flared up during India’s second innings. Despite the pain, he insisted on batting when England began their chase. "There was no way I was going to sit it out," he told the BBC. "You don’t get many chances to be part of something like that—a historic chase for England. I’d have regretted it forever if I hadn’t tried."
His determination was evident as he hobbled singles and fought through discomfort against India’s pace attack. Teammates later praised his resilience, with Bairstow calling it "one of the gutsiest performances I’ve seen in an England shirt."
A Career-Defining Moment
For Woakes, the innings marked a redemption of sorts. Often overshadowed in England’s pace-bowling hierarchy, he has been a consistent performer at home, averaging 22.63 with the ball in England before this Test. However, his batting contributions—particularly in tense situations—have sometimes gone underappreciated.
Key moments from Woakes’ knock:
- Survived a fiery spell from Jasprit Bumrah, including a 90mph yorker he dug out.
- Hit three boundaries in an over against Mohammed Shami to ease pressure.
- Ran painfully quick singles to keep the scoreboard ticking.
"People forget how good a batter Woakesy is," said Root post-match. "He’s bailed us out before, and today was another example. That’s the kind of character you want in your team."
The Bigger Picture
The victory capped a remarkable turnaround for England under new coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. After winning just one of their previous 17 Tests, they’ve now secured four consecutive chases of 250+ targets, playing an aggressive brand of cricket dubbed "Bazball."
Woakes’ performance also strengthened his case for a regular spot. With England’s packed schedule—including a Test series against South Africa and the T20 World Cup—his all-round skills could prove invaluable. "I want to be part of this new era," he said. "Games like this show what we’re capable of."
Looking Ahead
Woakes confirmed he’ll undergo scans on his knee but expects to be fit for the white-ball leg of India’s tour. His Edgbaston heroics have already entered English cricket folklore, with fans and pundits alike hailing his selflessness.
As former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Woakes could’ve easily said ‘I’m injured’ and no one would’ve blamed him. But that’s not what team players do. Proper England warrior."
For Woakes, the decision was simple: "When you’re playing for your country, you give everything. No excuses." His words—and his limp—embodied the spirit of England’s thrilling victory.