Chris Woakes seems unlikely to make a comeback to England’s Test team as team director Rob Key indicated that the 36-year-old all-rounder, who was not selected for the Ashes series, is not in their future plans.
Woakes dislocated his shoulder against India at The Oval last month and was in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the Ashes in Australia, starting in Perth on November 21.
However, he was omitted from the 16-man squad announced on Tuesday, with Key stating that the injury was poorly timed.
“In cricketing terms, the timing of it and the risk of recurrence for Chris Woakes in the immediate future,” Key informed reporters on Wednesday.
“He was running out of time to be prepared for the start of the Ashes. Once you miss an Ashes series, you’re often looking at the next cycle. So Chris Woakes isn’t part of our plans right now.”
On the other hand, Key mentioned that captain Ben Stokes will be ready for the Ashes challenge in Australia despite his recent shoulder injury and lack of play.
The influential all-rounder Stokes has not played since July, missing the final Test against India at the Oval, which ended in a 2-2 series tie.
Yet, the 34-year-old was chosen this week to lead the team in the five Tests against rivals Australia.
Key assured reporters that he had “no concerns” about the captain’s absence from cricket.
“I think he had probably the best series for us in the three years that (England coach) Brendon (McCullum), myself, and Ben have been working together,” he commented, referring to the India Tests.
“With the ball, it’s the best I’ve seen him bowl in a long time, if not ever. And that was without much cricket before the summer.”
“So I have no concerns about Ben Stokes. He’s generally the kind of player who prepares himself for big moments.”
England last won the Ashes in Australia in 2010/2011 under Andrew Strauss’s captaincy and last claimed the urn at home in 2015.
Their recent tours have been poor, losing 13 of the past 15 Tests in Australia, with the remaining two matches ending in draws.
