'Wasn't an easy decision, by any means': Chris Woakes on prioritising Ashes over IPL 

Woakes has been injured as of late [Source: Twitter]

While the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains a hot destination for international players to make national comebacks, England's Chris Woakes remains untouched by this notion. Woakes was a surprise omission from the list of players up for grabs in the upcoming IPL 2023 mini-auction this week.

Woakes, 33, missed England's cricket-heavy season due to an injury and is hopeful of making a successful return during the much-awaited 'The Ashes 2023'.  

The bowling all-rounder has played in the IPL for sides like Kolkata Knight Riders (2017), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018), and Delhi Capitals (2021). Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the pacer spoke about how difficult it was to not put his name in the IPL auction.

Here's what Woakes said

"It wasn't an easy decision, by any means. There's still a part of me that wishes I could go because the IPL is a great tournament and financially it could be very rewarding - but I didn't want to make the decision solely on finance,

It's an Ashes year and I haven't played much red-ball cricket. I need to suggest to people and remind people that I can play red-ball cricket and get through it - both from a fitness point of view, but also to show what I can do to try and have a go at being part of the Ashes."

Woakes will feature for his home side Warwickshire Cricket County Club in the County Championship 2023, in a bid to regain his spot for the 5-match Test series against Australia starting in June.

Also Read: AUS vs SA: Shane Warne to be honoured during the Boxing Day Test