Chris Woakes’ hopes of a final Ashes swansong have been dashed after a painful injury on the field during England’s fifth Test against India.
The 36-year-old suffered a dislocated left shoulder in an effort to stop a boundary — and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines that will keep him out of this winter’s high-stakes series in Australia.
The Moment It All Went Wrong
It happened in dramatic but cruel fashion. Woakes, ever the committed team player, chased down a drive from Karun Nair towards the long-off boundary.
He managed to flick the ball back in play and save his team a crucial four runs.
But in doing so, he landed awkwardly, using his left hand to break his fall. That’s when the damage was done.
He was clearly in agony, clutching his shoulder as team physio Ben Davies rushed out.
The two walked off the field together, and the initial concern has sadly been confirmed.
More Than Just a Knock
At first, there was hope it might just be a short-term injury.
But after a post-play medical assessment, it became clear the problem was worse than anyone expected.
Sources close to the team told Mail Sport the damage is “more extensive than first feared.”
As things stand, Woakes is likely to be out for up to six months — effectively ruling him out of contention for the five-Test Ashes series set to begin on November 21 in Perth.
A Final Ashes Tour Slips Away
There had been plenty of debate over whether Woakes would make the cut for the Ashes, given his mixed record overseas.
But his solid performances in the current series against India had started to turn heads.
He’d played every match so far, proving his reliability and value to the side.
Now, instead of boarding a plane to Australia, Woakes will be working on recovery and rehabilitation — with hopes of returning to the pitch in 2026.
ECB Confirms the Blow
The England and Wales Cricket Board issued a statement confirming the setback, saying Woakes will continue to be “monitored throughout the remainder” of the current match.
But it’s already clear he won’t play again in this series — or this year.
England’s Line-up Hit Again
Woakes’ injury is just the latest setback for an England team already dealing with its fair share of disruptions.
Losing such an experienced campaigner, especially when the team is fighting to turn a 2-1 lead into a series win, is a significant blow.
Gus Atkinson, who starred with five wickets to bowl out India for 224 on the second morning, summed up the mood.
“It doesn’t look great,” he admitted, echoing the feelings of fans and teammates alike.
What’s Next for Woakes?
The next few months will be about healing — both physically and emotionally.
Missing out on what could have been a last Ashes campaign is bound to sting, especially for a player who has given so much to English cricket over the years.
For now, though, the only thing Woakes can focus on is recovery — and maybe, just maybe, writing one more chapter in 2026.