Chris Woakes Eyes Stunning Ashes Comeback, Ready to Rock After Injury Scare

This news is no less than a tonic for cricket lovers waiting for the Ashes 2025-26.

Woakes, ready to rock the Ashes?

Woakes, who was recently struggling with injury, is now on the path of recovery and looks ready to play in this high-voltage series against Australia.

Woakes suffered a serious left shoulder injury in the Oval Test in London during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India last month.

While fielding in the 57th over, he dived to stop the boundary, but due to the wet outfield, his hand slipped and he fell awkwardly.

Woakes, who was groaning in pain, was immediately taken off the field by physio Ben Davis. The England Cricket Board (ECB) later confirmed that Woakes’ shoulder was dislocated and he was out of the rest of the Test.

But Woakes’ spirit was worth seeing. Despite the injury, he came out to bat in the fourth innings, that too with a sling on his left hand!

He did not play any ball, but ran between the wickets along with Gus Atkinson. England lost that Test by 6 runs, but Woakes’ courage was praised everywhere.

Rehab Over Surgery: Woakes’ Game Plan

Now in the latest update, Woakes has given a sigh of relief to the fans. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said,

“Certainly good news for me. That’s the best way to look at it. Obviously out of the sling and feel like I can move it a lot better now which is good two weeks down the line.

I suppose once you get a little bit more movement into it, feels little bit more normal. But still a lot of work to do.

Going to try and focus on the rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally not for surgery for now but we’ll see how that goes and hopefully we can get it nice and strong again.”

Voakes had earlier told the BBC that he was unable to decide between surgery and rehab as his focus was on the Ashes.

But now he is choosing the rehab route so that he can be fit for the Ashes series starting in Perth from November 21.

The surgery could have taken 3-4 months, which would have clashed with the Ashes timeline. With rehab, he can be ready in 8 weeks.

Currently, 36-year-old Woakes is one of the most experienced players in England. He took 19 wickets in the 2023 Ashes and became the Player of the Series.

Now fans hope that he will show his magic again on the pitches of Australia.