"Haven't felt more pressure" - Chris Woakes unshaken by James Anderson, Stuart Broad's departures

England pacer Chris Woakes talked about his performance with the ball in the first innings of the ongoing Test match against West Indies. He said that not having James Anderson and Stuart Broad at the other end hasn't put pressure on him as he tries to stay in the present.

In the absence of James Anderson, Chris Woakes has been handed the responsibility to take the new ball in Test cricket. The fast bowler has repaid the faith of the management and has been tremendous with the new ball for the team in the ongoing series.

Chris Woakes with his impeccable lines and lengths troubled the West Indies National Cricket Team batters and was the best bowler for his team in the first innings. He moved ball both the ways and posed a huge threat to the batters at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Chris Woakes bagged a four-wicket haul in the first innings. The all-rounder returned with the figures of 4/84 and his performance saw England ending West Indies' innings on 457 runs. Not only this but he also completed 1000 wickets in his entire career.

Chris Woakes admitted that he needs some time and confidence under his belt to get going. While talking about spells, he stated that he got into the rhythm and got rewards for that. Speaking during the press conference, he explained:

"Yeah, I mean, I think I've always been a bowler which is better for the gala, so to speak. Better for time on feet, overs under the belt. Very different to Woody. Woody would love to come into a series and be fresh as a daisy and not have bowled a ball. Whereas I like, you know, overs under my belt, a bit of confidence, a bit of rhythm, certainly more of a feel bowler. So, yeah, certainly felt better this week so far than I did at Lord's.

"And yeah, I think there was a spell yesterday evening where I felt like I got into a bit more rhythm, got the ball moving sideways and then just tried to replicate that this morning. And yeah, felt better. I think naturally, I think sometimes, as I said, it's easy to just look at the wickets column, but I felt like I bowled reasonably well in my second half of yesterday and then thankfully got it backed up this morning and got rewards for that.

Haven't got Jimmy at the other end, and I haven't felt more pressure because of that - Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes further stated that he is experienced enough now to know what works for him and he is trying to replicate what he did last summer. He stressed that he looks at every game like it's his last and tries to keep things simple. He said:

"Surprisingly not (on extra pressure in Broad and Anderson's absence). I think I'm at a stage in my career where playing in my 50th Test match got enough experience behind me to know what works for me and how I bowl well. I think you try and draw on past experiences. Last summer was very good for me, so I'm trying to look back and remember how that went how it felt and what got me success.

"So, the fact that I now haven't got Stu or Jimmy at the other end, I haven't felt more pressure because of that. If anything, I always try and stay in the moment, stay present and try and play every game as if it's my last. Then it's whether they were there or not, so that doesn't change much," he concluded.