Chris Woakes Shows True Grit: Walks Out to Bat with One Arm in a Sling
In a remarkable display of courage and team spirit, England’s Chris Woakes came out to bat on the final day of the fifth Test match against India at The Oval, despite having a serious shoulder injury.
Woakes, a key all-rounder for both England and Warwickshire, had dislocated his right shoulder on Day 1 of the match while trying to stop a boundary during fielding. The injury forced him to sit out for the remainder of the game—he didn’t bowl during India’s second innings and skipped batting in England’s first innings.
However, when England needed every possible run on Day 5 in their push for a series win, Woakes made the brave decision to return to the field. With his right arm in a sling, he batted one-handed using only his left hand, showing incredible determination and commitment to his team.
Before his injury, Woakes had already made a contribution by bowling 14 overs and taking one wicket for 46 runs. His effort to step up again, even when injured, was widely praised by fans and commentators as an example of true sportsmanship and resilience.
England’s medical staff will assess Woakes’ injury after the series ends to decide on the next steps for his recovery.
