(Video) Chris Woakes Comes to Bat With Dislocated Shoulder in One of the Greatest Cricketing Moments of All-Time

Over the course of five matches, Chris Woakes took 11 wickets for England against India, with an average of 52.18, after bowling over 180 overs.

(Video) Chris Woakes Comes to Bat With Dislocated Shoulder in One of the Greatest Cricketing Moments of All-Time

Chris Woakes received a standing ovation from the Oval crowd, after coming out to bat despite a shoulder injury. (via Independent)

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English all-rounder Chris Woakes came out to bat on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. The 36-year-old bravely took to the crease with a dislocated shoulder, in a desperate attempt to win the match for his team.

The fifth and final Test match between India and England at the Kennington Oval on Monday (August 4), tested the nerves of the players and fans alike. England, who appeared to be in a comfortable position on the fourth day with a 195-run fourth-wicket partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root, suffered a late collapse. From a seemingly dominant position of 300/3, the home side fell to 339/6, leaving the match’s fate hanging in the balance.

With just 35 runs needed on the final day and four wickets remaining, the match was finely poised. India staged a remarkable comeback to narrowly seal a victory and level the series at 2-2. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna shone with the ball, taking three and two wickets respectively on the final day. Siraj finished with match figures of 5/104, while Krishna finished with 4/126 in the second innings, getting India over the line.

England seemed to have lost the match following the ninth wicket, when Josh Tongue was dismissed in the 83rd over by a brilliant yorker from Prasidh Krishna, which crashed into the stumps. However, with the score at 357/9 and just 17 runs needed, Chris Woakes, the last remaining batter, refused to give up. In a courageous display of bravery, Woakes walked out to bat in the 84th over, despite his dislocated shoulder.

The 36-year-old made a brave call, stepping onto the crease with his left arm tucked inside his sweater. Woakes’ left arm was still attached to a sling, when he came out to bat, and he took guard with only his right arm. He showed off his sheer determination and grit, an effort that was very well appreciated by the Oval crowd. Fans in the stadium rose to their feet in a rousing ovation, cheering and clapping for him.

The English all-rounder had dislocated his shoulder after diving to save a boundary on the first day of the last Test. It was initially thought that Woakes would be out for the entire match, as he did not bowl or bat after the injury. However, he showed his readiness to take on the challenge, appearing in his kit on the fourth day. Although he ultimately did not face a single delivery, he ran valiantly with Gus Atkinson for the final wicket before Atkinson was dismissed in the 86th over, ending the match.

Furthermore, Woakes’ former captain Joe Root had also hinted before the match that he would be willing to bat left-handed if necessary. Root even referenced Rishabh Pant’s heroics in the Old Trafford Test, where the Indian vice-captain batted with a fractured toe and still managed to score a half-century.

Can Chris Woakes Recover From His Shoulder Injury in Time to be Fit for The Ashes This Year?

While all-rounder Chris Woakes displayed incredible courage by coming out to bat with a dislocated shoulder, questions now surround his recovery timeline. The Englishman is now in a race against time to be fit for the highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia.

Chris Woakes injury Ashes
Chris Woakes’ injury might rule him out of the upcoming Ashes, in Australia. (via Hindustan Times)

According to reports, medical assessments after revealed that the damage was more extensive than initially feared, and he may require surgery. This could potentially rule him out for the next six months, putting his participation in the Ashes in serious doubt.

As a crucial part of England’s pace attack in the longest format, his absence would be a serious blow to the Three Lions’ chances on the challenging Australian pitches. The 2025-26 Ashes is set to begin on November 21, with the opening Test set to be played in Perth.