Woakes will take it out on Kiwis
CHRIS WOAKES is aiming to take his Ashes embarrassment out on New Zealand.
The all-rounder was named man of the series in England’s 3-2 ODI success against the Black Caps.
Now he is hoping to take his red-hot form into the Tests.
England play two warm-up matches in Hamilton this week ahead of the day-night Test series opener in Auckland on Thursday, March 22.
Woakes took 10 wickets at 50 runs apiece as Joe Root’s men were hammered 4-0 in Australia.
He said: “We would have liked to have gone better in the Ashes but we will try to take whatever positives we can out of that series and try to put them right in this one. We saw from RODNEY WHITE in Christchurch in this series New Zealand are a very good side, especially in home conditions. They will be tough to beat.
“We are going into a pink-ball Test which we haven’t all played that much of.
“It’s not a step into the unknown but things are happening that you don’t expect. I’m excited, I’m sure it will be a great series.”
Smooth
Woakes has bounced back from his tough Ashes series with 10 wickets at 20 apiece in the ODIs against New Zealand.
He added: “I feel I am bowling pretty well, and that will help me swap formats.
“We will have some practice sessions, there’s some warm-ups. As a batsman you might have to put a few shots away but as a bowler I am in good rhythm and hopefully the transition is smooth.”
Woakes believes his all-round game has benefited from his time in the Indian Premier League.
The 29-year-old made his debut in the lucrative T20 competition last year for Kolkata Knight Riders and earned a million-dollar contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s auction.
He added: “I felt like I came back from my stint last year with a few new ideas.
“Bowling in those high-pressure situations you get in the IPL puts you in a good place when you come back and play for England.
“It was a great experience, not just in the playing environment and pressure cooker, being an overseas player and having to perform, but learning a few skills off the players.”