Chris Woakes Opens Up on Batting with Dislocated Shoulder in Thrilling Fifth Test Against India
Woakes suffered the shoulder dislocation on Day 1 while chasing a boundary, a moment that left him fearful for his career. “My hand slipped as I landed, and my full body weight went through my shoulder. I heard a pop and knew I was in trouble... it was a horrible place to be,” he told The Guardian, recalling the excruciating moment the injury occurred.
Despite being ruled out of the match, Woakes made a breathtaking decision: he came out to bat on the fifth day with his arm in a sling. Sportingly, he adopted a left-handed stance to shield the injured shoulder. Though he didn't face a single delivery, every run he ran (mostly singles) caused agonizing pain—his first run left him genuinely worried the shoulder might pop out again.
Addressing the possibility of facing a 90 mph bouncer from India’s pace attack with only one functional arm, Woakes admitted he was thankful he never had to face that fate. His presence, however brief and non‑batting, was enough to draw a standing ovation from the crowd.
His heroism wasn't lost on India’s players. Captain Shubman Gill approached Woakes afterward, calling him “incredibly brave,” a gesture Woakes described as deeply moving. He also shared a touching exchange with Rishabh Pant, who sent him a voice note wishing him a swift recovery. Woakes returned the sentiment, also expressing regret for Pant’s own injury earlier in the series.
Reflecting on his decision, Woakes said, “I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didn’t try... You just know you’re part of something bigger... you feel a duty to do it for everyone.” He summed up the emotional weight of the moment by expressing his remaining frustration: “I’m still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn’t get the fairytale.”
Woakes also voiced his stance on the controversial topic of injury substitutes in Test cricket. He sided with Captain Ben Stokes in arguing that the current system—despite its shortcomings—fosters resilience and unity within a team, warning that introducing substitutions could open up “too many grey areas or loopholes.”
Though England fell just six runs short in a heart-stopping finish, tying the series 2–2, Woakes’s courageous act has already etched itself into cricketing folklore. His willingness to bat in such distress embodies the spirit of the long format—where duty, grit, and sacrifice remain at its core.