Chris Woakes Leaves England's Bio-Secure Bubble; Flies Home From The Test Tour

England bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes will not be available for selection ahead of the fourth and final Test against India in Ahmedabad as he returned home. Chris Woakes left England’s bio-secure bubble on Thursday for a pre-planned break. By losing the third Test within two days, England find themselves out of the ICC World Test Championship race.

Chris Woakes earned selection in the squad for the series in South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India; however, he did not get the nod in the playing XI in any of the tours. The 31-year old’s last game for the national team was against Australia, a One-day international in Old Trafford, while his last Test was against Pakistan. Woakes has not featured in a T20 international since November 2015.

Keeper-batsman Jos Buttler played the first Test in Chennai and returned home to spend time with his family and all-rounder Moeen Ali did the same after featuring in the second. Earlier, Jonny Bairstow was rested for the first two Tests while veteran seamer James Anderson skipped the second Test after helping England to a comprehensive win in the first. And Woakes becomes the latest player to go home and spend time with his family. It is all a part of ECB’s rotation policy.

Chris Woakes likely to find a place in England’s ODI squad:

Nevertheless, Chris Woakes will most likely be part of England’s ODI squad for the three-match series against India after the five T20 internationals. The Warwickshire all-rounder has been a crucial part of England’s ODI team, bowling expertly with the new ball and adding invaluable runs in the lower order. He is likely to form a new-ball bowling pair with Jofra Archer.

Meanwhile, England lost the third Test comprehensively by ten wickets after succumbing to totals of 112 and 81 in the two innings. In fact, the Test saw both the batting line-ups failing to shine as India also fared only slightly better, managing 145 in the first innings. The deck provided variable turn in the third Test, but England coach Chris Silverwood expects it to hold on for a little longer for the fourth Test.

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