England are all set to kick off the summer with a one-off Test against Ireland, starting today at the iconic Lord’s in London. The hosts have already announced their squad where they picked uncapped seam bowler Josh Tongue, leaving out experienced campaigner Chris Woakes.
Notably, Woakes has been absent from England’s Test matches since March last year, during which he took three wickets against the West Indies in Grenada. After which he was sidelined for the entire 2022 home summer due to a cartilage injury in his left knee. However, he made a comeback to England’s white-ball squads during the winter and was part of the England’s T20 World Cup winning squad.
Despite being fit enough, Woakes, who has a brilliant record in Lord’s, was not picked for the one-off Test against the Irish side which left fans in disbelief. Since the start of 2021, He has taken a total of 40 wickets, with an impressive 27 of those coming in just five Tests at Lord’s. His outstanding record includes three instances of taking five wickets and a remarkable ten-wicket haul.
Additionally, the Warwickshire cricketer has a batting average of 61 at this venue, and he even scored his only Test century at Lord’s. In the previous Test match against Ireland at Lord’s, Woakes exhibited his bowling prowess by taking six wickets, resulting in the visitors collapsing for a mere 38 runs in the fourth innings.
However, skipper Ben Stokes was of the opinion that Tongue brings the ‘X Factor’ and he wanted to explore if the uncapped pacer has what it takes to achieve success at the highest level. The Christchurch-born acknowledged Woakes as a highly experienced player who brings a lot to the team but he sees this as an opportunity for Tongue. Stokes said that Woakes understood the game plan of the team and highlighted the importance for all the bowlers to be prepared to play in every game during the summer.
“It was a hard decision to make. We know Woakesy is a very experienced player and what he will offer this team when he plays. We see this as a great opportunity to see someone like Josh Tongue go out and play in a Test. We might need someone like him throughout the summer. It gives me an opportunity to see what his character is like and what he is like to operate with as a captain. Woakesy completely understood that. We would plan too much because we do not know what will happen, but all the bowlers know they need to be prepared to play every game this summer. It is exciting we are able to see another pace bowler come through the ranks,” said Stokes as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“Having someone who is able to bowl with that extra pace so he can come on and change the way the game is going and have that ‘X-factor’, is always great to have in your side. I am looking forward to getting him involved and watching him get his Test cap,” added Stokes.
