The time is ripe for more idle Woaksy predictions. T20 quarter final? There's not much more for him to play on this year, I can't see him going straight into the test squad.
The time is ripe for more idle Woaksy predictions. T20 quarter final? There's not much more for him to play on this year, I can't see him going straight into the test squad.
I'd imagine he'll need to play during 'Super September' if he's gonna be on the plane to Aus?
I wonder if Woakesy will miss out on the Test squad this winter. They'll take 6 seam bowlers: Anderson and Broad are certainties; Robinson looks like he's grabbed the third line and length slot; and the other spaces will go to whichever 90mph bowlers can be stuck back together. A complication would be if Stokes is still out and they want a bowler who can bat at seven. Even then, I think they'd opt for Sam Curran.
I can't see Chris making the starting XI unless a lot of people are injured. Frankly, he can probably do without another winter carrying drinks.
I hope they would take a younger bowler with pace rather than Curran who doesn't really do much damage on English pitches so what chance has he got in Australia. His 2 wickets per Test will frighten no one. I often wish Woakes had never played for England because he gets picked for so many squads without getting a game and no cricket at all is just frustrating for him. I just wish the England set-up would say "So Chris, we don't want to pick you so go back to Edgbaston and give your best to a side who want you". The England camp are ruining his career by just wasting his time on the sidelines when he is fit. If fit, I think he will go to Australia but cannot see him, Anderson and Broad all playing at the same time.
I think he’ll go to Australia, to cover for Stokes as much as anything.
He’s just a case of if he didn’t have bad luck he’d have no luck at all. He’s competing against England’s 2 most successful bowlers ever, and then he just can’t stay fit, and when he does get a run in the side he gets issues like covid isolating or rotation.
I do think going forward he’ll play a decent amount though, as England have this obsession of not having a long tail, so therefore picking bowlers who aren’t good enough, Sam Curran being the obvious beneficiary, but Overton, Dawson and Bess have also got caps through that thought process.
When no one could say that Curran is a better batsman or bowler than Woakes, and that would be his spot if he could stay healthy. England want a number 8 that can bat.
Rumour has it though, that Anderson has said he’ll pack it in at the end of next summer, and I think Woakes will be the one to benefit. You’d have Woakes, Broad, Robinson and Archer then as a relatively well balanced attack, with the desired batting in it, especially if Moeen continues to bat 7.
He's had awful treatment this year from England's management. They constantly prevent him playing for the Bears deeming protection and not overloading his schedule. To me this is detrimental as he's so short of match fitness and picks up injuries on the back of this lack of involvement.
Chris Woakes update - Chris Silverwood hasn't a clue.
According to Cricinfo, "Woakes also remains a doubt for Headingley after sustaining a foot injury prior to the series, with Silverwood admitting he "didn't have an answer" about his prospects of a return."
Good update, would have missed that. Cheers.
I stirred the pot a bit there but didn't offer an opinion of my own. I don't think we can blame England at this point (though definitely in the past). Have to remember Woaksy is now a 32 year old with dodgy knees. It seems, on the face of public statements, he was being managed because of this and an extremely unlucky run of not playing then got a stress injury, bruised heel.
I think he and his team will have to work hard to manage a few more years of his career, and unfortunately I think that will see a fair bit of franchise cricket and less with the bears. I think he loves the club and wants to do more for us. But might not be as simple as that.
GerryShedd wrote:
Chris Woakes update - Chris Silverwood hasn't a clue.
According to Cricinfo, "Woakes also remains a doubt for Headingley after sustaining a foot injury prior to the series, with Silverwood admitting he "didn't have an answer" about his prospects of a return."
It's such a shame. I really miss seeing him bowl in the county championship, he's so good to watch in that format.
I am amazed how he bowled (Admittedly when younger) for us for years and he has been picked in England squads without getting picked MOST of the time and yet he is injured. England seem to have a habit of returning injured bowlers back to their respective counties. Perhaps the old ways of just letting players play for their counties and picking them in form/fitness worked better.
Unfortunately Central Contracts are the key. The ECB can dictate everything they want and the County have no say. Nonetheless Woakes has been messed around badly.
The problem with central contracts is that they were initially to stop players overdoing it, especially fast bowlers finishing a Test in the north and then having to jump in a car and go and play a CC game in the south. The trouble is now, they are used to give players a rest before they even get to their home ground to start a new season. I remember a tour to New Zealand where Woakes hardly played (If at all) and the first CC of the season, the ECB said he needed to rest for the upcoming Tests. They use it to wrap players up in cotton wool but it leaves them rusty and in need of games when the Tests actually start.
Reply to Paul-bear, white-lightning and Andy
I think that is a good point about the central contracts having a perverse effect for Woaksy. Especially this time around where it seems the bruised heel was from playing after a long period of not playing. That NZ tour was totally absurd, remember that. You do have to remember with these contracts though he is the ECBs employee, not the Bears. If you aggregate it all up though, is it so far from equilibrium? He hasn't been playing that much and he has a chronic knee injury. These facts are linked.
In far better and less controversial news, however, the club posted a gif of him bowling in the nets. Might be ready for the Kent QF after all.
Playing today for the Seconds, in the 4 day game at New Road.
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
Yah. He and Norwell in the wickets against what looks like Worcester's first team. Good news for the business end of the season.
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
Playing today for the Seconds, in the 4 day game at New Road.
Back in the England squad, so lost to the Bears for the immediate future. I hope he gets a game, rather than being a drinks waiter again.
Typical, he is ready - but not for Warwickshire. He would have been a prime swap for Curran who has no real form and is not that good anyway. Trouble is though, Wood is fit and they might want a bit of pace. I doubt they will drop any bowlers apart from Curran so they won't have both Wood and Woakes in the side.
I actually think they’ll play Wood and Woakes.
Woakes will come in to bat 7 for Buttler, play as an all rounder.
Wood in for Curran.
Of course, I was forgetting that Buttler is not playing.
Very good to see that Chris has decided to put his family first and not return to the IPL, along with Bairstow & Malan.