Chris Woakes is unlikely to bowl again in the fifth Test against India after what appears to be a dislocated left shoulder, suffered while fielding late on day one at The Oval.
Late in the session, Woakes chased a push past mid-off. His left hand slipped on the damp outfield and he fell heavily, immediately clutching the shoulder. England physio Ben Davies treated him on the boundary before the all-rounder walked off, his jumper acting as a makeshift sling.
An England spokesperson would not elaborate on the damage, confirming only that Woakes will have a scan overnight. Dressing-room treatment continued into the evening, but optimism was in short supply.
“I don’t know too much about it, but it doesn’t look great,” Gus Atkinson admitted. “It’s a big shame, last game of the series, and when anyone gets injured, it’s a shame. I’m hoping it’s not too bad, and whatever it is, he’ll get full support from everyone.”
Before the mishap Woakes had delivered 14 tidy overs, returning 1 for 46. Across the series he has bowled 181 overs for 11 wickets at 52.18 and, together with Mohammed Siraj, is the only seamer to have played in all five Tests. His absence now leaves England’s attack light on experience: Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue have just 18 Test caps between them.
Atkinson, making his first appearance of the summer after a hamstring strain, expects to shoulder extra work. “Definitely, I feel fresh, I feel good,” he said. “I know I’ve only got this one game to play so I can push the limits a bit.”
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, speaking on television commentary, noted that losing Woakes removes “control as well as wickets”, and warned that extra overs could quickly tell on a young attack if the pitch flattens.
England will await the scan results, but for now must plan as though their senior seamer’s series has ended a day early.
