LONDON – England paceman Chris Woakes is considering an intensive rehabilitation program instead of surgery on his dislocated shoulder in a late effort to keep his Ashes hopes alive.
The 36-year-old injured his left shoulder diving in the field on the opening day of the fifth Test against India at the Oval, yet still came out to bat at number 11 with his arm in a sling in a bid to save the match. England fell six runs short, leaving the series tied 2-2.
Woakes has undergone scans and is awaiting full results, but says an eight-week rehab plan could make him fit for the Ashes starting November 21. “The options will be to have surgery or go down a rehab route and try to get it as strong as possible,” Woakes told the BBC. Surgery would require up to four months of recovery, putting his Ashes participation in doubt.
While rehab carries a higher risk of re-injury, it offers the chance of a quicker return. Woakes remains England’s most experienced paceman following the retirements of Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s exit from the Test side. However, his overseas record—48.93 runs per wicket compared to 23.87 at home—has raised questions over his selection for the Australia tour even before the injury.
