Lagatar24 Desk
London: England pacer Chris Woakes has made a heartfelt revelation about batting through a dislocated shoulder during the dramatic final day of the fifth Test against India at The Oval. Despite being injured on Day 1 and playing no further part until Day 5, Woakes walked out to bat with his arm strapped, determined to help England chase down the 35-run target with just one wicket in hand.
Determined to Bat Despite Agonising Pain
Woakes, who didn’t face a single ball, ran between the wickets with tailender Gus Atkinson in an attempt to steal quick singles. His appearance, arm in a sling and grimacing with every step, drew admiration from both fans and Indian players. “I’m still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn’t get the fairytale,” he told The Guardian. “But I never considered not going out there… You couldn’t just call it off at nine wickets down.”
‘The First Run Was the Worst’ – Woakes Recalls Agony
Recounting the pain, Woakes admitted that even with painkillers, the moment was excruciating. “All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over – even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do. I genuinely worried my shoulder had popped back out again.” The intense moment saw him throw off his helmet and use his teeth to remove his glove and check the injury mid-pitch.
A Narrow Defeat and a Brave Stand
England eventually lost the match by just 6 runs in one of the most nail-biting finishes of the series. While Woakes couldn’t change the outcome, his courage under pressure was applauded across the cricketing world. He described the crowd’s ovation and Indian players’ sportsmanship as emotional moments that he would never forget.
