As we are less than two weeks until the start of the much-awaited first Test of the traditional Ashes series on November 23 in Brisbane, England fast-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes played down the hesitation regarding the injury-hit England that the visitors might miss out strong-show on their Ashes opportunity.
“I think we can all cause some problems out here with what we’ve got,” Woakes told reporters in Adelaide.
When asked do you think it’s the huge blow for losing out the promising prospects due to the multiple injuries, Woakes reiterated they are focusing on their game to perform under the new leader Joe Root.
“I don’t think it’s a concern,” Woakes maintained.
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The 28-year-old Warwickshire-based right-arm bowler Woakes was quick to react that the dressing room is in a positive approach and all are aiming to give their best in the impending Down Under series.
“We’ve got a good unit in the dressing-room who are willing to put in the hard yards,” Woakes added.
Earlier, the England camp has witness lanky fast bowler Steve Finn nursed knee injury before being replaced by young fast bowler Tom Curran.
“That’s unfortunate, and he’s obviously a big loss, an international bowler with a lot of experience for us,” Woakes further added.
Moreover, fast bowler Jake Ball was the latest entry in the injury-hit list of the England’s 16-member Test squad.
The 26-year-old twisted his right-ankle while bowling in the day and night warm-up game against Cricket Australia in Adelaide.
“When you see a fellow fast bowler go off the field – particularly the way he did it, falling under himself – it’s quite frustrating for him and us as a team,” Woakes stated.
The right-arm fast bowler, Ball was handed a grand opportunity earlier by the England Cricket Board (ECB) when his name was announced in the much-talked squad.
As, it is yet to be clarified the extent of the injury which Ball is nursing, but the management already revealed the ankle is sore after twisting it during the second session on day two when CA XI was batting.
“He [Ball] didn’t really know the extent of it, but just said it was quite sore,” Woakes asserted.
Moreover, at lunch on day three of the pink-ball fixture against Cricket Australia XI, England was 166 for seven in 59 overs when this report was filed.
Root-led England is leading by 226 runs in second innings which eventually saw them posting 293 in first innings. On the other side, CA XI declared on 233 for nine in 76 overs.
After the Ball walked out writhing in pain which also gave us an idea of the impact of an injury further forced the 41-year-old England assistant coach Paul Collingwood on the field, as all-rounder Moeen Ali is recovering from the side strain.
“I wasn’t surprised. I’m sure he could take any of us on in a fitness challenge as well,” Woakes concluded.
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Woakes played 18 Tests in which he bagged 50 wickets and scored 675 at the batting average of 32.14.