ICC T20 World Cup 2022: England Seamer Chris Woakes Doubtful For Afghanistan Clash – Reports

England National Cricket Team pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes is doubtful for the side’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 opening clash against Afghanistan National Cricket Team as he is currently battling quad stiffness, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 began on October 16 with the group stage matches. Eight teams – West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, UAE, the Netherlands, Namibia and Scotland – battled it out for the 4 vacant spots in the Super 12 stage.

Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe were the teams that progressed to the Super 12 stage. The Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup 2022 will commence on October 22.

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The Jos Buttler-led England National Cricket Team will take on Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan National Cricket Team at the Perth Stadium in their tournament opener on Saturday, October 22.

Meanwhile, Chris Woakes, who is a vital member of the England bowling attack, faces a race against time to be fit for the Afghanistan clash and he went through what appeared to be a fitness test on the ground on Friday afternoon, under the watchful eyes of medicos, as per ESPNcricinfo.

Chris Woakes is not someone you’d want to take a risk on – Jos Buttler

While talking about Woakes, England captain Buttler said that the seamer is a key member of the side and he is “not someone you’d want to take a risk on”.

“He [Woakes] is not someone you’d want to take a risk on. But I think he’s feeling good,” England captain Jos Buttler said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“He’ll take full part in training today and hopefully pulls up well. He’s obviously a key player for us.”

Woakes injury concern is a second major blow to England after the in-form left-arm pacer Reece Topley got ruled out of the entire tournament due to an ankle injury.

Notably, the 28-year-old Surrey pacer Topley rolled his left ankle after standing on a boundary cushion during a fielding drill before the warm-up game against Pakistan at The Gabba on Monday, October 17.

While talking about Reece Topley getting ruled out of the entire tournament, Jos Buttler said that they are “bitterly disappointed for him”.

He said: “We’re all so bitterly disappointed for him. The amount of setbacks he has had already in his career…to come back and be in the position he’s in on the eve of a tournament, being in such great form, and to have that cruelly taken away from him is really tough.”

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “Players Are Happy Playing T20 Leagues” – Madan Lal Slams Nicholas Pooran And West Indies After T20 WC Exit