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Chris Woakes retires; Here are England great's best bowling figures in Test matches

Jatin

Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

England all-rounder, Chris Woakes has finally pulled stumps on his international career, calling time on a journey that lasted 15 years at the highest level. The 36-year-old all-rounder, fondly called the ‘Wizard of Warwickshire’, announced his retirement after a shoulder injury against India recently cut short his summer and the England selectors moved on without him.

The right-arm quick walks away with 192 Test wickets, over 2,000 runs with the bat and memories that will be etched in English cricket forever. Woakes was never the loudest guy on the field but hand him a Dukes ball in home conditions and he could make it talk.

Swing, seam and a knack for striking when the pressure was on, he had it all. As he bows out, let’s take a look at Chris Woakes' five best bowling performances in Test cricket.

5. 6/17 vs Ireland, Lord’s, 2019

This was Woakes at his ruthless best. Against Ireland in a one-off Test, England had been embarrassed for 85 in the first innings and Ireland responded with 207. England then put in a better effort in the second innings and scored 303. When it was time to defend, Woakes took matters into his own hands in the second innings.

The ball was hooping, the stumps were in danger every delivery and the Irish batters had no clue. He finished with 6/17 in under eight overs, skittling Ireland for just 38. From a potential banana skin, England walked away with a 143-run win, thanks to Woakes turning the screw at just the right time.

4. 7/138 vs India, The Oval, 2021

Fresh from injury and short of match practice, Woakes returned against India in the 2021 series at The Oval. The pitch was flat and the runs were flowing, but Woakes rolled his sleeves up and got to work. He knocked over Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur in the first innings, finishing with 4/55.

In the second dig, he chipped away again with 3/83. England lost the Test to Rohit Sharma’s brilliance, but Woakes’ seven wickets on a batter’s paradise showed his heart. It was grit and graft in the truest sense.

3. 7/111 vs Australia, The Oval, 2023

Pressure was sky high with the Ashes series on the line. At The Oval in 2023, Woakes produced a masterclass in control and nerve. He grabbed 3/61 in the first innings and then returned with 4/50 in the second, prising out big names like David Warner and Steve Smith in both innings.

Every time Australia looked set, Woakes found a way to break the stand. England won by 49 runs and squared the series 2-2, keeping their proud home Ashes record intact. Woakes went on to be named Player of the Series, a fitting reward for a man who thrived in crunch moments.

2. 7/108 vs Pakistan, Old Trafford, 2016

In the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford, Woakes produced an absolute bowling masterclass. After England piled on 589/8 declared courtesy of Joe Root’s 254, Woakes took 4/67 to dent Pakistan’s reply.

England then batted and declared at 173/1, setting a huge target. Pakistan were under the pump and Woakes tightened the noose with another 3/41. He bowled with rhythm, discipline and that late nip which has been his trademark. England crushed Pakistan by 330 runs and Woakes was at the heart of it all.

1. 11/102 vs Pakistan, Lord’s, 2016

This was the spell that announced Chris Woakes to the world. In the opening Test of the 2016 series against Pakistan at Lord’s, Misbah-ul-Haq stole headlines with his push-up celebration. But Woakes matched it with ball in hand, bagging 6/70 in the first innings and 5/32 in the second.

Eleven wickets in a match at Lord’s is the stuff of dreams. Even though England lost by 75 runs to Yasir Shah’s spin, Woakes’ performance was unforgettable. It was the day he showed he belonged at the top table of Test cricket.