England vs South Africa 2017: Injured Chris Woakes Likely To Miss First Two Tests

Nov 2, 2023 at 3:46 PM

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England vs South Africa 2017: Injured Chris Woakes Likely To Miss First Two Tests

England fast bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, who suffered a side strain during the ongoing Champions Trophy, is likely to miss the first two Tests against South Africa later next month. He suffered the injury during England’s match against Bangladesh and was forced to leave the field after bowling two overs in the match.

The recovery timeframe is four to six weeks, with Woakes admitting it is likely to be the longer end of that scale before he returns to the field. It means he is all but confirmed to miss the opening Test against South Africa, which begins at Lord’s on July 6, and the second as well, which starts at Trent Bridge on July 13.

“It’s a left side strain and there is a tear in the muscle,” Woakes said. It’s a grade-two injury, which is not terrible news, but it’s not great news at the same time. They say it’s roughly a four- to six-week injury, and it’s more likely to be towards the six when I am back playing competitive cricket. I’m on day five of my recovery now, and the physios say for the first 10 to 14 days there’s not a lot we can do other than rest it.”

“You don’t rule it out, but I’m probably up against it for the first Test. Sometimes these things heal quicker, sometimes they take longer, so we have to play it by ear.It’s also one of those things you can’t rush back – if you do, it can just ping again. You have to make sure you’re right before you come back. The timing of it is frustrating, it’s terrible, but it’s one of those things.” he added

Woakes took 34 wickets in his six home Tests last year – 26 of them in the four-match series against Pakistan – although the five Tests he played on the tours of Bangladesh and India were not of good results.

James Anderson also has suffered from the groin injury a few months back. Anderson, Woakes and Stuart Broad would have been England’s likely strike pace attack to start the South Africa series, supplemented by Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, but there could also be question-marks over the workload Stokes can sustain in Tests due to his troublesome knee. If replacements are needed, Mark Wood, Jake Ball, Steven Finn and Toby Roland-Jones would be in included in the squad.

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