In one of the most gripping moments from the India-England Test series finale at The Oval, England’s Chris Woakes walked out to bat with a dislocated shoulder — a move that drew admiration, concern, and a standing ovation from fans across the stadium.
England needed just 17 more runs to win with one wicket in hand when Woakes, who had been ruled out of the match on Day 1 due to his injury, made the unexpected walk to the crease. His left arm was strapped inside his sweater, visibly immobile, and yet he stood ready — a testament to courage over comfort.
“All I Took Was Codeine”
In an interview with The Guardian, Woakes opened up about the pain and pressure in that moment. “The first one was the worst,” he said. “All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over – even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do.”
He described how the fear that his shoulder had dislocated again led to a frantic check mid-play: “I threw my helmet off, ripped the glove off with my teeth, and checked it was OK.”
He Never Faced a Ball — But That Wasn’t the Point
Though Woakes didn’t face a single delivery, his brief presence at the crease carried enormous emotional weight. He shared the final stand with Gus Atkinson, adding a crucial 10 runs before Mohammed Siraj bowled a lethal yorker to end England’s hopes.
“There’s a part of me that still wonders what could’ve happened. Could I have blocked out an over? Maybe found a gap for four?” he reflected. “But the other side of me thought — thank God I didn’t have to face a 90mph bouncer with one hand, facing the wrong way around.”
‘I Never Thought of Staying Back’
Despite the pain and the risk, Woakes insisted there was no question about walking out. “Even if we had 100 runs to go, I would’ve gone out there,” he said. “I’m gutted we didn’t get the fairytale, but there was never a thought to stay behind.”
India eventually won the Test by six runs, levelling the five-match series 2–2 and retaining the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Woakes may not have scored or even faced a delivery, but his bravery left a lasting impression — one of those rare moments in sport that transcends the scoreboard.
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