Pacer plans major fitness call ahead of England's Ashes duel
Injured Chris Woakes is looking at the best possible way to get fit ahead of England's Ashes Down Under later this year.
The 36-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder on day one at The Oval and is awaiting scan results to confirm the extent of the damage.
A vital cog in the English bowling lineup, Chris Woakes says rehabilitation could be a risk he’s willing to take as he aims to be fit for this year’s Ashes challenge in Australia, rather than opting for surgery on the shoulder injury sustained during the fifth Test against India.
During the series-deciding fifth Test at the Oval against India, Woakes came out to bat with his left arm in a sling on a tense final morning as England chased a series-clinching victory, but fell short by six runs. The series was drawn 2-2.
With the first Ashes Test set to begin in Perth on 21 November, Woakes aims to take part in the duel Down Under.
"I'm waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible," Woakes told BBC Sport.
The bowling all-rounder, who has featured in 62 Tests for England, then explained as to why he had a preference of undergoing a rehab over surgery.
"I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you're just willing to take sort of thing.
"From what I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months or three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky.
"From a rehab point of view you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it."
Woakes’ courageous return to the crease came with England needing 17 runs for victory. Batting at number 11, he did not face a ball but ran four runs in his last-wicket stand with Gus Atkinson.
The all-rounder received widespread praise for his determination, though he admitted the reaction took him by surprise.
"In my eyes it [to go out to bat] was never a question. It was just a matter of 'I was always going to do that' and I believed anyone else in that dressing room would have done the same. So it's not like it was just me making that decision.
"But yeah, I suppose it's quite surprising how much people have sent the love, sent the support and said how brave it was. But as I said, in my eyes it was just business as usual.
"When you get the opportunity, you do what's best for your team. In that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line.
"Unfortunately, it didn't happen but I'm grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team."
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