Chris Woakes to be forced to bat one-handed after shoulder dislocation!! Joe Root drops bomb

The veteran England National Cricket Team pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes is all set to bat in the fifth Test match against the India National Cricket Team despite a suspected shoulder dislocation.

Batting great Joe Root confirmed the development, stating that the all-rounder is ready to put his body on the line and bat one-handed on the final day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

Chris Woakes got injured on Day 1

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

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He suffered an injury while fielding in the 57th over of India's first innings. The all-rounder chased a ball from mid-off towards the boundary 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, before being taken to the dressing room by physio Ben Davies for treatment.

On Friday, August 1, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the senior all-rounder will miss the remainder of the game and won't be seen in action.

However, there seems to be a twist in the tale as Chris Woakes, despite not making any contributions with the ball after his injury, is ready to bat and help England win the Oval Test.

He's desperate to do what it takes - Joe Root

England will enter Day 5 with 339/6 on the board and 35 runs needed to win. Chris Woakes practiced batting one-handed in the indoor school and entered the dressing room on Day 4 itself, declaring his availability as the No.11 batter, if needed.

Speaking of Chris Woakes, Joe Root said that the all-rounder is "desperate to do what it takes" to help England win the match and clinch the series 3-1. He said:

"He's all-in, like the rest of us. It's been that kind of series, where guys have had to put bodies on the line. Hopefully, it doesn't get to that. But he had some throwdowns in here (the indoor school) at one point, and he's ready if needed… He's desperate to do what it takes."

"I'm not sure. 've not seen him practice yet. You might get a better indication tomorrow if he has some throwdowns in the morning."

Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain - Joe Root

Joe Root further stated that Rishabh Pant's courageous move to bat with a fractured foot has inspired England, and Chris Woakes is "willing to put his body on the line." Root said:

"Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain having done what he's done. It just shows, as we've seen from other guys in this series - [Rishabh] Pant batting with a broken foot, guys taking all sorts of blows here and there - but it means a huge amount to him.

"It just shows the character and the person that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England, and hopefully - well, hopefully he doesn't have to, but if it does come to that - get us across the line and win us an incredible series."

England would be hoping Chris Woakes is not required to bat as the all-rounder is in serious trouble, with some reports claiming that his participation in the upcoming Ashes is doubtful.

Also Read: Watch: Dhruv Jurel takes absolute blinder to dismiss Joe Root for 105 on Day 4 of Oval Test