The recent Test series between India and England saw two players suffer significant injuries. Rishabh Pant sustained an injury while batting on the first day of the fourth Test, leading to his exclusion from the series. Similarly, England’s experienced fast bowler, Chris Woakes, was injured during the final Test and was unable to bowl in the second innings. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Chris Woakes has made a bold decision in light of the important series against Australia.
Chris Woakes, the veteran English bowler, faces a year of challenges and prospects in 2025. Woakes suffered a shoulder injury during the fifth Test, casting doubt on his preparations for the Ashes 2025. However, he has now chosen a course of action. He may opt for rehabilitation instead of shoulder surgery to potentially be ready for the Ashes series starting in Perth on November 21.
Following his injury at the Oval Test, he underwent scans and is waiting for the report. The scan results will determine the severity of his injury and the course of treatment. However, Woakes believes that he can recover quickly through rehabilitation. Woakes clarified his situation in a recent conversation with BBC Sport, stating that he had two options: surgery or rehabilitation.
‘I am waiting to see how bad it is but I think the options might be surgery or rehab,’ Woakes said to BBC Sport. ‘I guess it could be something that could potentially flare up again but I feel like it might be a risk you’re willing to take. From what I have heard from the physios and the specialists, surgery would be four months, three to four months to be fit again. Obviously, with the Ashes and Australia, that makes it difficult. Rehab would be eight weeks, so that might be an option, but I’ll make any decision after the report comes back.’