Body blow to the hosts: Chris Woakes officially ruled out of the final India vs England Test
England have been left devoid of their lead pacer for the remainder of the fifth and final Test against India. Chris Woakes turned up as the only bowler to play all five India vs England Tests when the home team announced their Playing XI for the Oval Test. However, it does not stand true now that Woakes has been ruled out of the Oval Test with an injury. England's combination for the crucial fixture was already hampered when Ben Stokes was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Now, another shoulder injury has come to haunt the home team.
Fielding at mid-off in the last session of play on Day 1, Chris Woakes sprinted to stop a boundary. While the speedster was successful in his attempt to save the four, Woakes landed badly on his shoulder as he completed his impressive fielding effort. The 36-year-old looked in severe pain as the medical staff attended to him at the boundary line. Moments later, Woakes walked off the field, supporting his injured hand with a makeshift sling made using his sweater. The injury appeared to be a dislocated shoulder.
A further assessment will take place at the end of the series 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9mzGbV5WSL
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 1, 2025
Following stumps on Day 1 of the final Test at the Oval, Gus Atkinson provided an injury update on Woakes. The speedster said that the injury did not look good, hinting at Woakes' absence from the rest of the match. The hint has now been confirmed by the ECB. The English Cricket Board, ahead of Day 2 announced that Woakes has been ruled out of the remainder of the final India vs England Test. As there's no provision for an injury replacement in such cases, England will be left with only 10 players to compete against the visitors.
“England seamer Chris Woakes will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the Rothesay Fifth Test at The Kia Oval, following a left shoulder injury sustained on day one of the match against India. At this stage, the injury has ruled him out of any further participation in the Test,” the ECB announced. “A further assessment will be conducted at the conclusion of the series.”
Injured Chris Woakes arrives at The Oval with the team! 🏏
— OneTurf News (@oneturf_news) August 1, 2025
📸: ECB/X#oneturfnews #engvsind #teamindia #chriswoakes #injuryupdate #cricket pic.twitter.com/LBzWioxjQE
Woakes' injury adds to England’s troubled lineup, leaving them in a difficult spot with four key players already absent from the ongoing Test. Captain Ben Stokes, pacers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, along with spinner Liam Dawson, were all ruled out of the final match. While Stokes is out with an injury, the rest have been rested due to workload management. As things stand, England's bowling attack now contain Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, and the occasional spin contributions from Joe Root and Jacob Bethell.
