England suffered a setback on Day 1 of the fifth Test at The Oval as Chris Woakes injured his left shoulder while fielding. The incident happened in the 57th over when Woakes sprinted to save the boundary and successfully cut it off but landed awkwardly, immediately clutching his shoulder before walking off the field in pain. Liam Dawson replaced him as a substitute fielder, while the England camp anxiously awaited further medical assessment on Woakes’ condition.
Gus Atkinson provides update on Chris Woakes’ injury status
Pacer Gus Atkinson, who dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel while also running out Shubman Gill, spoke about Woakes’ injury in the post-day press conference. Atkinson admitted that while he didn’t have complete details about Woakes’ injury, the early signs were not promising. By calling it ‘a big shame,’ he acknowledged the emotional impact of losing a teammate in such an important match. However, his words also carried reassurance, as he expressed hope for a quick recovery and emphasized that Woakes would receive the unwavering support of the entire England squad regardless of the severity of the injury.
“I don’t know too much, but it doesn’t look great. It’s the last game of the series, and it’s always a big shame when anyone gets injured. I’m hoping it’s not too serious, and whatever it is, he’ll have everyone’s full support,” Atkinson said in the press conference after the day’s play.
Notably, Woakes had bowled 14 overs for 46 runs, claiming the wicket of KL Rahul before the injury forced him off the field. His participation in the remainder of the Test remains in doubt.
India fight back after middle-order collapse
India closed Day 1 at 204 for six after a spirited 51-run partnership between Karun Nair and Washington Sundar steadied their innings following a dramatic collapse that saw them slump from a solid start to 153 for six. Nair showcased great composure under pressure, while Sundar provided vital support with his patient approach, frustrating the English bowlers in the final session. Their stand not only revived India’s hopes but also set the stage for the lower order to add crucial runs on Day 2. England, on the other hand, will be determined to strike early and prevent India from pushing the total into a competitive range.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Indian fans brutally slam Shubman Gill for mindless run-out on Day 1 of the Oval Test
