'Poor' Chris Woakes Explains Why He Skipped IPL 2024 & Absent From England's T20 WC Squad
Woakes hasn't been picked for the T20 World Cup 2024 (x.com)
England's star all-rounder Chris Woakes has disclosed the reason behind his unexpected and unannounced absence from professional cricket.
Woakes' last appearance in professional cricket was with the Sharjah Warriors in the International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates in February. The right-arm seamer was also part of the England squad that toured the West Indies in December.
The seam-bowling all-rounder has not played for his county team, Warwickshire, this season and did not played a single game in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 for Punjab Kings, despite being with the squad for the entire tournament.
Additionally, Woakes was not included in England's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The 35-year-old took to social media platform X to explain his absence, saying:"The last month has been the most challenging of my life as, unfortunately, my Dad passed away at the beginning of May. I've spent the last few weeks with the people most important to me, my family. We're all obviously grieving and trying to get through what is undoubtedly the hardest moment in our lives. It's times like this that perspective is at its greatest."
"I will be back playing cricket for Warwickshire, who my Dad loved dearly, when the time is right for me and my family. I know playing cricket for Warwickshire and England made my Dad incredibly proud. I look forward to doing that again in the near future."
Woakes will now look to overcome his personal grief and aim for an England comeback, with a busy few months ahead. He could also make his return in The Hundred, although he has opted out of participating in the ongoing T20 Blast 2024.
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