England Anticipates Information on Woakes' Shoulder Issue Post-Intense Fifth Test
Chris Woakes Suffers Serious Shoulder Injury During India-England Test
Chris Woakes, the English all-rounder, suffered a severe dislocated shoulder injury during the fifth Test against India on August 7, 2025. The injury occurred while Woakes was fielding late on Thursday, causing immediate concern about its impact on his career.
The incident took place as Woakes dived to stop a boundary, resulting in a painful and severe dislocation. Despite the pain, Woakes showed determination and came out to bat to help England close the game. However, the injury was described as a fractured shoulder, and he was unable to continue in the Test.
Woakes is currently considering rehabilitation instead of surgery to strengthen the shoulder, aiming to be fit in time for the upcoming Ashes series starting in Perth. Surgery would likely lead to a longer recovery period, which might rule him out of the Ashes, whereas rehab might allow an earlier return, though it carries some risk depending on how the shoulder responds.
England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, expressed cautious optimism about the severity of Woakes' injury. The match concluded with England being narrowly defeated by six runs, and Woakes did not face any deliveries during the match. He played for England with a sling on his arm during the final day of the match at The Oval.
The upcoming Ashes tour in Australia is in doubt for Chris Woakes due to his shoulder injury. Despite missing The Hundred, which was scheduled to start on Tuesday, Woakes still holds hope to be fit for selection if he chooses rehab over surgery, but this is uncertain and will depend on his recovery progress.
Injuries have also affected other players in the series. Shoaib Bashir played through a broken finger during the third Test, while Rishabh Pant batted with a broken foot in the fourth Test. Josh Tongue's dismissal caused a brief commotion, leading to security rushing onto the field, mistakenly believing the match was over.
Ben Stokes is also sidelined due to his own shoulder injury and is expected to undergo a recovery period. Stokes has expressed his opposition to injury replacements in cricket, emphasizing the integrity of the game. Woakes, too, has voiced strong opinions against the introduction of injury substitutions in Test cricket, arguing that injuries like his should help build team resilience, despite the personal suffering they cause.
Woakes is scheduled for scans and a thorough evaluation on Wednesday. The outcome of these tests will likely determine his recovery plan and his availability for the Ashes series.
- Chris Woakes' shoulder injury, sustained during the India-England Test, could potentially impact his availability for the upcoming Ashes series.
- Despite the seriousness of his shoulder injury, Chris Woakes is considering rehabilitation to be fit in time for the Ashes series, aiming to avoid a longer recovery period through surgery.
