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Chris Woakes To Risk Career For Ashes; Ditches Surgery After Bravery With Broken Shoulder

Akshita Patel

Chris Woakes injured his shoulder during Oval Test [Source: AFP Photos]Chris Woakes injured his shoulder during Oval Test [Source: AFP Photos]

England all-rounder Chris Woakes is facing one of the biggest decisions of his career, and it could define his Ashes destiny. He dislocated his shoulder during the fifth Test between India and England and appears in a deep conundrum over the recovery process.

The 36-year-old injured his shoulder during England’s fifth Test defeat against India at The Oval, with scans suggesting a possible dislocation. The blow was bad enough for team doctors to rule him out of the rest of the match. 

But Woakes shocked everyone by walking out to bat at number 11 with his left arm in a sling, hoping to guide England to a dramatic series-clinching win.

Chris Woakes Committed To Ashes Despite Shoulder Injury

Now, Chris Woakes’ focus is on the Ashes, which begins on 21 November in Perth. The choice in front of him is stark: undergo surgery, which could sideline him for up to four months and threaten his Ashes spot, or take the riskier route of rehabilitation, which might get him fit in just eight weeks.

Talking to BBC Sport, Woakes stated that with rehab, the risk of reoccurrence is huge, but that’s something he is willing to embrace just for the sake of the Ashes.

"I'm waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible. I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you're just willing to take sort of thing," Woakes said.

For Woakes, the chance to play in another Ashes series, especially in Australia, may outweigh the long-term risks. The injury has become more than just a medical concern; it’s now a test of loyalty, ambition, and grit. 

"From what I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months or three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky. From a rehab point of view you can probably get it get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it," he added.

Woakes Downplays His Heroic Batting With One Hand

On Day 5 of The Oval Test, England needed just 17 runs, and Chris Woakes, batting with one hand tucked in a sling, didn’t face a ball. But he ran four crucial runs before Gus Atkinson was bowled, handing India a nail-biting six-run victory. 

The bravery instantly earned him praise from fans, ex-cricketers, and even neutral supporters, though Woakes insists it was simply "business as usual." 

"In my eyes it was never a question [of going out to bat]. It was just a matter of 'I was always going to do that' and I believed anyone else in that dressing room would have done the same. So it's not like it was just me making that decision. But yeah, I suppose it's quite surprising how much people have sent the love, sent the support and said how brave it was. But as I said, in my eyes it was just business as usual."

He added that coming out to bat was never a question and that he was surprised to receive that kind of love and appreciation from the fans.