Woakes reveals mixed emotions after being left out of England squad

12/12/2023 Сricket

Chris Woakes reveals mixed emotions after being left out of England’s Test squad for India but insists he feels ‘it’s a fair decision’ – as he reflects on ‘difficult’ red ball form overseas

  • Chris Woakes was not named in England’s Test squad to take on India next year
  • Woakes was prepared for the omission after being advised over its likelihood 
  • He is now keen to take every opportunity of enhancing his short form reputation

Chris Woakes, England’s man of the series in the Ashes just four months ago, was pragmatic about his omission for the Test series in India.

He said: ‘It’s mixed emotions. Whenever there’s a Test squad announcement, you’re always desperate to be in it but at the same time, at my age, with my away record – particularly in the subcontinent – I feel like it’s a fair decision.

‘We had conversations about where my best cricket is likely to be played moving forward and naturally in Test cricket, it looks likely to be at home.

‘Of course you want to perform in all conditions. It’s something which I’ve tried for a long period of time. 

‘There was a period where my away form actually got a bit better, but that was playing in New Zealand, South Africa, where generally seamers go a little bit better.

Chris Woakes has admitted mixed emotions after being left out of England’s latest Test squad

Woakes will miss out on the tour of India but has conceded that the move was a ‘fair decision’

‘In the white-ball game my away record is almost probably better than my home record. So it’s not just purely those conditions, but with the red ball, I have found it a little bit difficult.’

Woakes was prepared for England Test coach Brendon McCullum breaking the news to him, having been advised of the likelihood of such an eventuality by Key over recent weeks.

So while England are taking on the number one-ranked Indians, he will be playing for Sharjah Warriors at the ILT20. He is also heading into the Indian Premier League auction a week today.

With the Twenty20 World Cup just six months away, a man who inspired England’s comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Australia is keen to take every opportunity of enhancing his short form reputation in the build-up.

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