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"Can Move Better": Chris Woakes Spotted Without An Arm Sling In Big Injury Update

Akshita Patel

Chris Woakes shared positive injury update [Source: @SkyCricket, @tickerscricket/X.com]Chris Woakes shared positive injury update [Source: @SkyCricket, @tickerscricket/X.com]

England’s preparations for the upcoming Ashes in Australia have received a boost, with fast bowler Chris Woakes giving a positive update on his recovery from a recent shoulder injury. At The Hundred, he was spotted without an arm sling and affirmed being able to move his shoulder better.

Woakes suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding during the final Test against India at The Oval earlier this month. 

The injury forced him out of the rest of the match, but fans were impressed when he bravely walked out to bat on the tense final day, with his left arm still in a sling. Despite his courage, England fell short by six runs, levelling the series 2-2.

Chris Woakes Confident Of Avoiding Shoulder Surgery Ahead Of Ashes

Last week, the BBC reported that England are uncertain about the gravity of Chris Woakes’ injury and were awaiting scans to determine if the bowler can avoid a surgical process and be fit for the Ashes series.

In a sight of relief, Woakes made a special appearance during The Hundred 2025 competition. He had ditched his arm sling, and talking to Sky Sports, he confirmed his recovery was progressing faster than he expected. 

“Certainly good news for me. That's the best way to look at it. Obviously out of the sling and feel like I can move it a lot better now which is good two weeks down the line. I suppose once you get a little bit more movement into it, feels little bit more normal. But still a lot of work to do. Going to try and (stay) focused on the rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally not for surgery for now but we'll see how that goes and hopefully we can get it nice and strong again," Woakes said.

For now, the England pacer is hoping to strengthen the shoulder naturally and return to full fitness without going under the knife. He is feeling a lot better, and considering the stakes, England would be desperate to have Woakes in their bowling arsenal in Australia.

Woakes Recalls Motivation Behind Oval Heroics

In the fifth Test between India and England, Chris Woakes showed incredible bravery by walking out to bat despite a dislocated shoulder. Injured on day one while fielding, he still came out to bat at number 11 with his left arm in a sling, as England needed 17 runs to win. 

"I'm still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn't get the fairytale. But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win or whatever. But any other player would have done the same. You couldn't just call it off at nine wickets down," Woakes told The Guardian.

Though he didn’t face a ball, he ran four runs before England lost by six. Woakes batted left-handed to protect his injury and admitted he never considered staying in the dressing room. He expressed that as a sportsperson, one has to be ready for any circumstance and not call it off in case of adversity.