ROOT IS BACKING WOAKES
Injured paceman should be fit for one-dayers, insists captain
England are confident Chris Woakes will be able to play in the one-day series against australia later this month even though a second side injury within the last seven months ruled him out of today’s final ashes Test.
Woakes missed the bulk of last summer after severely injuring his left side in the early stages of the Champions Trophy and felt a problem in the same area towards the end of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
It was sufficiently serious for England to change their final Test plans here and leave Woakes out of the side instead of Moeen ali, with leg- spinner Mason Crane making a Test debut at the SCG at the age of 20.
But they insisted the problem was nothing like as severe this time and that Woakes should be fit for the first of five 50-over matches that follow the final Test. The first ODI is in Melbourne on January 14.
‘Chris has pulled up a bit sore from the last game,’ said England captain Joe Root as England completed preparations for what they describe as a ‘ must- win’ Sydney Test. ‘He had problems with his side last summer and this is probably a game too far for him.
‘It was a significant injury last time so in the best interests of us going forward he’ll miss out this week because it could be a risk playing him. But it might be the case that he’s ready to go again in a week.’
Woakes became one of England’s most important and improved bowlers during a stellar 2016 but has not yet been the same force overseas during disappointing tours of India and now australia.
The concern is that the extra pace he has added to his game is putting a repeated strain on his body. So England are right to be cautious.
Crane, who this time last year became the first overseas player to play Sheffield Shield cricket for new South Wales in more than 30 years when he appeared at the SCG against South australia, would have played anyway.
‘The way he has conducted himself for the whole trip has been outstanding,’ said Root of Crane. ‘For a young man to apply himself and absorb himself in this environment as he has is exactly what you are after.
‘I can see a big progression in his game and the way he went about those T20s in an England shirt last summer shows he is not going to back down from any challenge.’
The absence of Woakes almost certainly granted a reprieve to Moeen ali, who was set to be left out by England before Woakes was forced to go for a scan in Sydney yesterday.
Moeen has had a dismal series with bat and ball, which has been a huge problem for England in a losing ashes series, but it could be that the presence of Crane helps his bowling on what is expected to be a turning pitch.
‘Of course he has had a tough couple of games but you don’t just lose the ability he has overnight. I am confident on this surface he can put in a valuable performance for the side,’ said Root. ‘ My message to him has been to relax and try and enjoy his cricket. He is at his best when he is having fun.’ la USTRALIA
have dropped all-rounder glenn Maxwell for the upcoming one- day international series. Chris lynn, 27, who plays for the Queensland Bulls, has taken his place in the squad.