Chris Woakes sheds his “Nice Guy” image in steely bowling display that deserved more than just the 2 wickets he got.
No more Mr Nice Guy, as Chris Woakes shows his inner steel.
Chris Woakes was heard muttering to himself on Edgbaston’s enormous screen, “That is a f***ing joke,” following the DRS’s umpire’s call upholding umpire Sharfuddoula’s on-field judgement of not out. Although it was out of earshot, it revealed a rare external sight of Woakes’ inner strength as well as his shock at finishing a flawless opening spell with just one wicket.
It was a moment that perfectly captured England’s attitude on the opening day, as their assault worked hard and had some success before losing to India just ahead of schedule. Woakes was undoubtedly the attack’s best player, although his 2 for 59 from 18 overs did not adequately capture the issues he created, especially with the new ball.
Woakes was particularly upset with a lbw shout that he believed ought to have been directed at Karun Nair. A ball that was pitched from wide on the crease and that ball-tracking projected would have struck part, but not enough, of Nair’s off-stump, caused him to shoulder arms. It left him seething to the extent that he even called for a law change.
“I need to be careful: I’ve had some [decisions] go my way over the years,” Woakes said. “In general, DRS has been good for the game. A lot more right decisions are given [than before]. The only thing I would like to come in is that if a batsman decides to leave the ball and it’s still hitting the stumps, I think that should be out – regardless if it’s clipping or not.”
After a brutal working-over for KL Rahul, he took his first wicket between the two referrals. Woakes’ line was flawless, and his lengths were far more reliable at Edgbaston than they had been at Headingley the previous week. Rahul played successive maidens, but he defended off the back foot and sliced the ball onto his stumps after two tight leaves.
However, his strategy to Nair ultimately paid off against a different batter: following a change of ends and umpires, Woakes stepped wide on the crease in his third spell, persuading Nitish Kumar Reddy to leave the ball alone. Woakes’ adaptation to a slow surface, where bowled and lbw were the primary methods of dismissal, was highlighted when it nipped in off the seam to remove his off stump.
Woakes’ well-earned reputation as one of cricket’s decent men has occasionally worked against him, making it very simple for umpires to reject his pleas or for coaches to exclude him. However, his palpable frustration today mirrored a self-clear reality: talent is necessary to reach this level of sport, but perseverance is also necessary to stay there as long as Woakes has.