England’s allrounder expects to retire from ODIs after the World Cup, content not to play another away Test.
Chris Woakes is a lock to play in England’s 50-over World Cup defense in India later this year, p
Chris Woakes has stated that he is unlikely to play 50-over cricket after this year’s World Cup and has stated that he would be content to never play another Test outside of England if it meant extending his career overall.
Woakes played an important part with bat and ball in England’s three-wicket triumph at Headingley on his comeback to the Test squad, and he is one of the team’s few all-format players. However, at 34, he is aware of the importance of extending his playing career and will combine international duties with opportunities on the franchise circuit.
Woakes is a lock to play in England’s 50-over World Cup defense in India later this year, pending fitness. However, speaking at a #Funds4Runs event hosted by LV= Insurance at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club, he stated that he would be “amazed” if he played another ODI after that tournament.
“I’d be surprised if I played 50-over cricket after the World Cup,” Woakes remarked. “It’ll be difficult in India, but we have a great team and squad that could do something special.” At the conclusion of that, you sketch out your future as an all-format player, and the next cycle: “I won’t be playing ODI cricket at 38-39 years old.”
Woakes was “extremely sore” after the Headingley Test, which reminded him “how hard Test cricket is on the body” after a 15-month absence. He has, however, retained his place in England’s squad for Wednesday’s Test at Emirates Old Trafford, and is sure that he would be able to overcome the short turnaround to play at The Oval if selected.
Woakes has only played in one Ashes-winning season, having missed the 2015 series due to injury. That happened in 2013, when he made his debut in the final Test at The Oval with the urn already secured; now, a decade later, he is “desperate” to play a bigger role in another England victory.
Following the Ashes, England’s next Test series is a five-match tour to India in January-February 2024, where circumstances are unlikely to suit Woakes’ seam bowling. He has been kept on a lucrative deal with Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, which will most likely overlap with that tour, and has reluctantly recognized that his abilities are more suited to playing at home (100 Test wickets at 22.69) than away (36 at 51.88).
“I haven’t been chosen yet, and I’d never say never; never say no,” Woakes remarked of the possibility of visiting India. “I’m not sure if I’d be chosen for a tour like that: my away record speaks for itself.” I honestly haven’t considered it, and there’s a lot to come before that.”
“I would be happy with that, yeah, for a few different reasons,” Woakes replied when asked if he would accept never playing another Test overseas if it meant playing another two home summers. It’s quite unlikely that I’ll go to India and take 30 wickets in the series. When you reach my age, you begin to wonder, ‘How can I extend my career?'”
Woakes struggled in his most recent Test tour, collecting five wickets at 48.80 in the Caribbean in March 2022 before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the summer. “I don’t want to go to India and repeat what I did in the Caribbean and lose a year’s worth of cricket.” You learn from your mistakes and past experiences; it would be foolish of me to do otherwise.”
The longevity of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who are now 40 and 37 years old, has changed the game for fast bowlers. “Ten years ago, the idea of an international cricketer playing until they were 40 was unthinkable.” It definitely helps you realize what is possible and what you can accomplish.”
Having opted out of this year’s IPL to play in the Ashes, Woakes is conscious of managing his schedule to strike a balance between trying to “continue in as many formats as I possibly can, for as long as possible” and maximising his earning potential as he approaches the end of his career.
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