Chris Woakes, the seasoned English fast bowler, has often found himself under scrutiny for his performances abroad, particularly when compared to his stellar record on home soil. With 127 wickets in 32 Test matches in England, Woakes has established himself as a reliable and effective bowler in familiar conditions. However, his record overseas tells a different story, with just 36 wickets in 20 matches, highlighting the challenges he has faced when playing outside of England.
Woakes’ most recent overseas tour was during the 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia, where England suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat. Woakes’ performances were criticized, and his struggles in foreign conditions became a focal point of discussion. Despite these challenges, Woakes remains committed to contributing to the team and has expressed his readiness to be selected for England’s upcoming tours to Pakistan and New Zealand later this year.
England is scheduled to play a three-Test series in Pakistan in October, followed by another three-match series in New Zealand in December. These tours will present Woakes with an opportunity to redeem himself and showcase his ability to adapt to different conditions. Speaking to reporters after taking 3-32 on the first day of England’s opening Test against Sri Lanka, Woakes stated his eagerness to be part of the upcoming tours. “I’ll play for England where I’m picked to play for England. I certainly wouldn’t rule myself out,” Woakes said, emphasizing his willingness to answer the call if selected.
Woakes acknowledged that his absence from overseas Tests in recent years might work in his favor, allowing him to approach these challenges with a fresh perspective. “I haven’t played an away Test for a little while, but that might be a good thing because it can give you a fresh look on things. I wouldn’t shy away from it,” he added, expressing confidence in his ability to perform if given the opportunity.
In addition to his bowling, Woakes has also been working diligently on his batting, which could enhance his chances of selection. With a Test batting average of 27.76, Woakes has proven to be a capable lower-order batsman, and his all-round abilities could provide England with valuable depth. “That’s a bonus, isn’t it? It’s certainly something which I’ve always worked on,” Woakes said of his batting. “I’ve put in some hard yards to make sure that I’m capable of doing that. It’s an extra string in the bow which allows you to potentially be selected ahead of someone else who maybe can’t quite fulfil that role.”
The upcoming tours will be crucial for England as they look to build on their recent successes and continue their positive trajectory in Test cricket. Woakes’ experience and versatility could be key assets, particularly in the challenging conditions expected in Pakistan and New Zealand.
England currently trails Sri Lanka by 214 runs after the first day of the opening Test, and Woakes’ performance on home soil once again demonstrated his value to the team. However, the real test will come when he steps onto foreign pitches later this year. The selectors will undoubtedly be weighing Woakes’ experience and recent form as they finalize the squad for these important tours.
For Woakes, the upcoming series represent more than just another opportunity to play for England; they offer a chance for redemption and to prove that he can be as effective abroad as he is at home. His determination to contribute, both with the ball and the bat, underscores his commitment to the team and his readiness to take on whatever challenges come his way.
