England’s pace attack suffered a major setback on Day 1 of the decisive fifth Test against India at The Oval as veteran seamer Chris Woakes sustained a shoulder injury that could rule him out of the remainder of the match.
The 36-year-old Warwickshire bowler landed awkwardly while diving to save a boundary late on Thursday. He left the field grimacing, holding his left arm in a makeshift sling.
Although an official medical update from the England camp is awaited, teammate Gus Atkinson delivered a worrying assessment:
“It doesn’t look great. I’ll be surprised if he takes any further part in the game,” Atkinson told the BBC.
England’s Pacing Crisis
Woakes’ injury leaves an already depleted England seam attack stretched thin. Ben Stokes, the series’ leading wicket-taker, is sidelined with his own shoulder injury. Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer have been rested, leaving Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton to shoulder the pace workload.
Woakes had been the only fast bowler to play all five matches of the series, claiming 10 wickets on mostly flat pitches. He also struck early at The Oval, dismissing KL Rahul with a delivery that jagged back sharply.
Potential Long-Term Impact
With his 36th birthday behind him and a modest overseas record, a serious injury could jeopardise Woakes’ chances of making England’s Ashes squad later this year.
England ended Day 1 with India at 204/6, but the loss of Woakes may prove decisive in the battle to secure the series.
