Want To Put My Hand Up To Be Part Of This World Cup - Chris Woakes On Recall To England's T20 Squad vs Sri Lanka

Bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes eyes a spot in England‘s T20 World Cup squad after getting a recall to the team’s shortest format after six years for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Chris Woakes has not played a T20I since 2015 but comes in as one of three recalls along with  David Willey and Liam Dawson in absence of the injured Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Reece Topley.

England have six T20Is line-up this home summer – 3 against Sri Lanka starting June 23 followed by 3 more versus Pakistan – as well as tours to Bangladesh and Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup. Chris Woakes, who was a crucial member of the 2019 World Cup-winning team, will be looking to make the most of this opportunity.

“I haven’t been in this squad for a while and I look at this as an opportunity. It is great for me to be back amongst the squad. I don’t take any squad selection for granted, I am certainly not just here to make up the numbers – if I get a go I will be trying to stake a claim.

“I also realise there are a few injuries knocking around but that doesn’t take anything away from me being part of this England team and putting my hand up to be part of this World Cup – with two World Cups around the corner,” Chris Woakes was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.

Come the India series I’ll be fit and firing and ready to play a big part: Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes hasn’t featured in the England shirt since September last year. He travelled to South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India but couldn’t make it into the starting XI in any format. He then played in the suspended IPL 2021 for the Delhi Capitals where he was impressive taking 5 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 7.45.

He had opted out of the New Zealand Test series to take a rest, to be “fit and firing and ready” for the 5-Test series against India at home. Chris Woakes is a brilliant performer in English conditions, where he 22.87 with the ball, compared to a poor 51.68 away from home.

“I decided that little break would do me good in the long run. They certainly know I want to play Test cricket, don’t get me wrong. I haven’t played much red-ball cricket but they know I want to be a part of that Test squad and I believe they want me to be part of it so hopefully come that India series I’ll be fit and firing and ready to play a big part of that,” the 32-year-old stated.

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