In a recent Test series between India and England, several players sustained injuries. Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to an injury during the fourth Test. England’s experienced fast bowler, Chris Woakes, also suffered an injury in the final Test and couldn’t bowl in the second innings. Despite the severity of his injury, Woakes has made a surprising decision in anticipation of the upcoming series against Australia.
Woakes’s 2025 is filled with challenges and expectations. He sustained a shoulder injury during the fifth Test, raising concerns about his preparations for the Ashes 2025. However, he has chosen to prioritize rehabilitation over surgery in an effort to be fit for the Ashes series, which starts in Perth on November 21.
After the injury in the Oval Test, Woakes underwent scans and is awaiting the results to determine the severity of the injury and the course of treatment. Woakes believes he can recover quickly through rehabilitation. In an interview with BBC Sport, Woakes stated that he had two options: surgery or rehabilitation.
Woakes said, ‘I am waiting to see how bad it is but I think the options might be surgery or rehab. 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.’
