Chris Woakes on playing Tests outside of England: “Wouldn’t shy away from it”

Chris Woakes of England has not ruled himself out of participating in future away tours. Despite being the most experienced pacer in the team following James Anderson’s retirement, he was still not guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup for road games. This is due to Woakes’ English conditions average of 21.57 compared to 51.88 when away from home. Since the all-rounder was not included in England’s most recent tour to India, his records caused the ECB to overlook him on tours.

Woakes, though, is optimistic about his performance in upcoming games and is prepared to talk about it with the team’s management. While the 35-year-old acknowledged that the selectors had a strategy, he said he wouldn’t turn out a chance to be considered.

I would not back down from that, for sure. If I get selected to play for England, I’ll represent the country there. I would never rule myself out, and that is something that will undoubtedly be discussed at a later time. But I would never rule myself out. Woakes stated, quoting, “The selectors will have their ideas, but I’m definitely not going to refuse down a tour if selected, so we shall see.

Ben Stokes sustained an injury that prevented him from competing in the Hundred, therefore the seamer was recently forced to withdraw. With a three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series, Woakes showed the ECB how much they value his contributions. Later in the year, Woakes can go on a tour to Pakistan and New Zealand if he stays steady. The talk about his participating in the Ashes in 2025 may begin if he does well in those two series.

But it’s still a story of perhaps. But Woakes is prepared, saying that as he gets older, he understands his game better and wants to have an influence.

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Naturally, playing more Test cricket as you get older helps you learn new talents, have more experience to fall back on, and become a little wiser. It’s difficult to look back on the fact that I haven’t played an away Test in a while, but it may also be a good thing. It allows you to see things in a slightly different light,” Woakes said.