Chris Woakes hopes an Ashes call would persuade his dad to fly
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Chris Woakes remembered his dad Roger’s support in the crowd at his maiden Edgbaston Test. But he thinks it will be a different matter if he makes England’s squad for the next Ashes. England all-rounder hopes his current good form will last long enough to persuade his father to conquer his fear of flying.
The Warwickshire all-rounder heads into Wednesday’s third Test in arguably the best form of his career. His father, Roger, saw his son take 11 wickets in England’s 75-run defeat in the first Test at Lord’s and is set to be among the crowd when the hosts look to go 2-1 up in the four-match series at Edgbaston following their 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford.
“My parents follow me as much as possible, but not overseas — my dad has never flown at all,” said Woakes.
“He’s never left the country, but my parents drive all over the UK. He’s a little bit claustrophobic, so flying has always been a no-no. He doesn’t get in lifts and things like that either,” he added.
Woakes would be delighted if his father saw him in action in Australia, but thinks it unlikely. “I don’t think I would be able to persuade him, unless he went on a boat,” Woakes told.
“I’m sure he’d love to, but don’t think he’d be able to. I’m sure he’ll be happy sat on his sofa watching it on TV with a cup of tea. But don’t get me wrong -I’ll ask the question if I’m in the Ashes squad,” he said.