Just when England seemed to be finding their rhythm in the ongoing Test series against India, they’ve been handed a serious blow — and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Freak Injury on the Boundary Ends Woakes’ Ashes Dream
During a dramatic moment in the fifth Rothesay Test on Thursday, 36-year-old Chris Woakes threw himself into action to prevent a boundary after Karun Nair’s powerful drive.
He succeeded in flicking the ball back into play near the long-off rope, but it came at a high cost.
Woakes landed awkwardly, jarring his left shoulder while trying to break his fall, and immediately grabbed it in visible pain.
Medical staff, including physio Ben Davies, rushed to assist him, and he was quickly taken off the field for further assessment.
Damage Worse Than Expected After Scan
Initial hopes that the injury might be minor were dashed after a thorough medical review.
Sources close to the England camp revealed that Woakes had dislocated his shoulder and the damage turned out to be more severe than originally anticipated.
As a result, he’s now expected to be out of action for as long as six months — which effectively rules him out of England’s highly anticipated five-match Ashes series in Australia, set to begin on November 21 in Perth.
A Career Revival Cut Short
Woakes’ selection for overseas Tests has often been questioned due to his less-than-stellar performances outside of England.
However, he had recently managed to silence critics by maintaining a consistent presence throughout the current series against India.
His efforts were starting to pay off, and this injury comes just as he was rebuilding his standing with team selectors and management.
This latest development might have closed the door on his hopes of making one final memorable Ashes appearance Down Under — a swansong many fans were rooting for.
England’s Lineup Grows Thinner
Woakes’ absence adds to the growing list of setbacks England has faced in this series.
Despite leading 2-1, they’ve already been stretched thin, and losing a seasoned all-rounder like Woakes could hurt their chances of sealing the series against a determined Indian side led by Shubman Gill.
Teammate Gus Atkinson, who played a key role in bowling out India for 224 with a five-wicket haul, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, saying bluntly, “It doesn’t look great.”
What’s Ahead for Woakes?
According to the ECB, Woakes will remain under observation for the rest of the match, but the writing is on the wall — he won’t be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
For now, recovery and rehabilitation will take center stage as the Warwickshire veteran begins his road back to fitness.
Fans and teammates alike will no doubt miss his calm presence and reliability on the field, especially as England face the challenge of defending their lead without one of their trusted all-rounders.