Ashes dream over? Chris Woakes ruled out of 5th Test vs India!! ECB issues official update

The England National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow as the veteran pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes has officially been ruled out of the remainder of the fifth Test match against the India National Cricket Team.

On Friday, August 1, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement to confirm that the senior Englishman will miss the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, which is currently underway at the Kennington Oval in London.

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A further assessment will take place at the end of the series - ECB on Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes sustained an injury to his left shoulder on Day 1 of the Oval Test match against India and looked in a significant amount of pain.

Pacer Gus Atkinson raised serious doubts over his participation in the rest of the game while speaking to the media after the stumps on Day 1.

And now, just before the start of Day 2, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that "at this stage," Chris Woakes will not participate in the rest of the game, but " will continue to be monitored."

Also, a further assessment will take place at the end of the series, with England's next big assignment being the Ashes.

A further assessment will take place at the end of the series 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9mzGbV5WSL

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 1, 2025

How did Chris Woakes get injured?

The play on the first day at The Oval was extended due to multiple rain breaks. All-rounder Woakes bowled a total of 14 overs on the day and ended up taking one wicket for 46 runs.

He could have added a few more overs and wickets to his tally, but that couldn't happen because of the injury he suffered while fielding in the 57th over of India's first innings.

He chased a ball from mid-off towards the boundary near the end of the day, and put in a dive to pull the ball back just inside the ropes. However, his left hand appeared to slip on the damp outfield, and he landed awkwardly.

Just after the incident, he looked in big trouble as he was seen clutching his left shoulder in extreme pain. Physio Ben Davies instantly rushed towards the pacer to provide him with some treatment, and the all-rounder was taken to the dressing room.

I think out of all the bowlers, Chris Woakes included, Atkinson found the length - Michael Vaughan

Woakes' injury comes in as a colossal blow for the English team as they will be one bowler short for the remainder of the series finale.

Speaking of the performance of the England pacers at The Oval on BBC Test Match Special, Michael Vaughan said that Gus Atkinson, who returned with figures of 2/31 in 19 overs, was the best bowler. He elaborated:

"If you look at Gus Atkinson, he's got such an efficient action. You kind of watch his run up and there's not a lot that can go wrong with it. Whereas, you look at Josh Tongue and there's a lot of arms and legs and movements.

They're bigger and sometimes it's a little bit harder to find your rhythm when you're a taller bowler but Gus Atkinson has that efficient movement. It's also his home ground, so he'll be comfortable playing here at The Oval. I think out of all the bowlers, Chris Woakes included, Atkinson found the length.

"If England are honest in that dressing room, they'll be thinking if two of us bowled like Gus Atkinson then we'd have bowled them out."