T20 World Cup 2021: Chris Woakes Is Mr. Dependable Of The England Line-Up - Nasser Hussain Heaps High Praises For The Pacer

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has been left highly impressed by the form of Chris Woakes on his return to England’s T20I side after six years.

Chris Woakes was away from England’s short-format eleven since 2015 and marked his return this year in a thumping fashion: he has picked at least one wicket in all but one of the 5 T20Is he has played in 2021, including three in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

It was the unavailability of Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and Ben Stokes which paved way for Chris Woakes’ comeback. He has been scintillating with the new ball so far in the tournament, having picked up 4 wickets in 3 games, at an outstanding economy of 4.7!

Nasser Hussain admitted that he would have wanted Chris Woakes to make way for Mark Wood when the fast bowler is fit. But now has his mind changed after having seen Woakes’ impact.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Nasser Hussain wrote, “It is easy to under-value the Mr Dependable of the England line-up in Chris Woakes, a trap I fell into when pushed on who should be left out had Mark Wood been fit to face Australia.”

“My first thought was that it had to be Woakes — or perhaps Chris Jordan — as much as anything because he was way down the England Twenty20 pecking order when he spent more than five years out of the side.

“Well, after another highly impressive display here against Australia, there is no way he’s going to be left out any time soon.”

Chris Woakes rarely bowls a bad ball: Nasser Hussain

Chris Woakes has been at the forefront of all three of England’s victories in the tournament, chipping in with dismissals at the top with the new ball while also not leaking many runs despite the field restrictions.

Nasser Hussain observed that the seamer has hardly been off his radar in the powerplay, bowling tight lines and lengths.

“Woakes has been immaculate in his discipline on pitches that England feel have been perfect for him, especially the one in Dubai on Saturday that had a bit of grass left on it.

“When there is a bit of seam and swing, Woakes is the ideal bowler and he has been setting the tone perfectly with the new ball. He rarely bowls a bad ball and very rarely strays away from bowling it just back of a length at a good pace,” the 53-year-old commentator highlighted.

With three thumping wins in three games, England are on the cusp of qualifying for the semi-final. A win on Monday against Sri Lanka in Sharjah will ensure their qualification.

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