Instead of having surgery for the shoulder injury he suffered during last week’s fifth Test defeat to India, England all-rounder Chris Woakes stated that he is willing to accept the risk of rehabilitation in order to be fit for the Ashes.
After landing awkwardly while attempting to rescue a boundary on the first day of the see-saw Test at The Oval, Woakes, 36, is awaiting scan results and may have suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Given the severity of the injury, his alternatives would be shoulder strengthening surgery or rehabilitation.
November 21 marks the start of the first Ashes Test in Perth.
“I suppose… there will be a chance of a recurrence, but that could be a risk that you’re just willing to take,” Woakes told BBC Sport on Friday.
“From what I’ve heard from physios and specialists, the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to three to four months. That’s obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia, so it makes it tricky. From a rehab point of view, you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So, that could be an option, but again, obviously (I’m) still waiting to get the full report on it,” he added.
As England fought for a series victory, Woakes batted again on the last morning with his left arm put in a sling, despite being sidelined for the rest of the fifth Test due to his injury.
With 17 runs left, he came in at No. 11. Despite not facing a ball, he ran four runs before Gus Atkinson was clean bowled, allowing India to win by six runs on Monday and level the series 2-2.
Although Woakes was commended for his bravery, he played it down by claiming that anyone else in the dressing room would have followed suit.
“In my eyes it was just business as usual… in that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I’m grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team,” he added.
